Can you have lesions in your spine only with ms?

I have a brain mri scheduled tomorrow, is there any preparing I need to do? Also if my brain mri comes back normal, is it possible to have lesions in your spine only, or necessary to have lesions in brain as well?

I also finally have a nuerology appt april 27

[Sumanadevii]

Yes you can have lesions only on your spine.  My first neuro found just one on my brain and said it was age related.  Three years later with a new neuro and MRI of the spine on a 3tMRI, my spine lit up like fireworks.  So, be sure if nothing is found that you request a 3t on your spine.  The 1.5MRI is usually not strong enough to find spinal lesions.

[jenniferk86]

What were your main symptoms sumanadevil?

[kelly97]

You can have lesions in your spine only. They may not call it MS at first. It may be called Transverse Myelitis initially.  That’s what they did for me. They saw a lesion between T9-10.  At first they missed the lesions that were in my brain.  When I brought my MRI scan to an MS Center, the MS neuro there pointed out all the lesions in my brain that they had missed.

My initial symptoms were primarily spasticity in my left leg (strong tightness/muscle contraction in my hamstring with pain that wouldn’t stop), numb/tingling left foot, and incontinence.  

Good luck at your neuro appt.
-Kelly

[Sumanadevii]

My main symptom was horrid lower back pain which today I know is due to the weakness in my legs.  It seems spinal lesions affect walking and gait.  At least that was my experience.

[sllowe]

Hi Jenn,

The neuro will know more hopefully w/the brain results. But, ultimately, if only spine shows lesions the doc may look into differential dx's (there are many and they vary depending on results of tests) as he/she should until more evidence show.

Looking forward to this appt. for you. In prep only thing I suggest it to practice putting yourself in a good place mentally so you can lay still comfortably. What I do while in the tube is think "I want good picture, I want good pictures, over and over in my head, lol so I try to lay as still as a statue, haha

What time is is scheduled for?
-Shell

[jenniferk86]

845... Sumanidevii I have those same symptoms...i didn't know there wee other diagnosis that caused lesions or neurological pain...interesting.

[jenniferk86]

Also anyone know the next step for me if everything turns our normal? I'm so used to everything coming back normal and don't even know where to go from here if my results are normal,i just know I'm NOT NORMAL lol.

[jen673]

What a coincidence.  My name is Jennifer Kaye and I have 3 lesions on my spinal cord MRI.  I haven't had a brain MRI yet and not diagnosed either.  I have sensory problems with my right hand and Lhermittes syndrome.   My appt. is this Thurs.  Hopefully we will both get some answers soon.  

Jeny

[Sumanadevii]

If everything comes back normal and you know you are anything BUT normal, you keep on trucking over to another neuro.  There are some on this board that have been to as many as eight before being dxed.  In my eight and a half year search this is what I was told:

PCP:  You are getting older.
Internist:  It's a little arthritis
Vascular Suregon:  It's Raynaud's
Chiropractor:  Need shoe lifts to correct hips
Chiropractor Two:  Herniated discs
Orthopedic Surgeon:  Mild to moderate spinal stenosis
Pain Management:  Given shots for herniated discs
Neuro;  Pinched nerve in neck
Neuro Two:  MS

While I sat listening to these dxs, I knew something was seriously wrong.  It wasn't a little bit of anything.  I worked building displays for stores all my life.  I sure knew the difference between backaches, disc problems, and pinched nerves.  What I didn't know was how to explain (the words) what exactly was wrong.  I could only say I had horrid lower back pain and one foot that wouldn't move.  

And, what I didn't know is exactly how a real neuro exam should have been conducted.  Neuro Two gave the exam.  The following morning an MRI in a 3t.  At noon, we knew it was MS and treatment began the next morning.

If I would give you any advise, it is don't wait sitting with hope that they will figure it out.  Get another opinion and another and another because while they will thinking about what it may be damage is being done to your body.