Do I have MS?

[snetterv]

In 2006 my MRI showed up with demylazation in the basal ganglia and I was refered to a neurologist.  She told me we would watch it and I had another MRI done in 2008.  This MRI stated, "Scans through the cerebrum, particulary on FLAIR sequences demonstrate two lesions within the anterior and posterior corona, just above and extending into the posteromedial corona region.  When compared to 2006, I had , "slight improvement in that the size of the left anterior and posterior coronal lesions had dimished somewhat compared to prior study of 2006.  No enhancing lesion. No duffusion abnormality.  
Does this mean I have MS or could this be normal?.
I was on remicade during this time and would like to get back on it, as my psoriatic arthritis is very flaired and wondered if this is a viable option?
Is demylization the same thing as a lesion, because my 2006 MRI states demyelizatoin not lesion?
My mother had progressive MS and died at 38 years of age.
My Brother had 1 episode with his eyes that left him with some periphrial vision loss 20 years ago.
My little sister was diagnosed at 48 with MS and feels like it was caused from Humara.
I am 53 and was 47 when I had the original MRI.
The only problems I have had is severe pain, fatigueand short term memory loss.  
I hear MS is not inherited but I wonder if that is believed to be different now.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
S

[Sparkysarah]

Hi there and welcome to the forum. You have had some thoughtful, informative replies.  I am hoping for your that you do not have MS and I think at this stage it is helfpul to keep an open mind.  I would try and ask your neurologist at your meeting on 16th Jan for a little more clarity, so go with a lsit of questions. Although you are seeing him about the neck, I feel that you have a clinical history, and MRI results that provide quite a lot of material to help in finding a diagnosis. You may need bloode liminations tests,VEP tests and a lumbar puncture also if he is unsure and that MS is a possibility. It sounds as if your family has a strong genetic disposition and history of MS, so I hope that you do not have it.

Keep us posted how you get on, with best wishes

Sarah

[snetterv]

After reading some of the post's, I saw something about headaches.  This whole thing started back in 2006 when I had an MRI because the base of my skull (like where a baseball cap would fit) hurt so bad and I would get migraines from it, and I wasn't sure if that was coming from a disc.  So now i wonder if a headache is a symptom of MS?

[snetterv]

I won't actually see the Neurologist until Jan 16th but that is for an issue in my neck I have degenerative disease from the RA or Psoriatic Arthritis that is causing a lot of pain in the base of my head and neck.  I am hoping we will discuss the problem with the lesions but may have to make an appt to go back for that.  Everything takes forever...I see my Rhuematologist this week and hopefully be able to discuss treatment for the psoriatic arthritis.  
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and comments.

[Karen99]

It is my understanding that any signs of demyelination is usually a contradiction to use remicade and that there is an association between the two.  

It is a decision in which the patient (and doctor)  needs to be fully informed. Particularly with a family history of MS and existing lesions.

What does your neurologist have to say about this?      

[COBOB]

The basal ganglia, thalamus and brainstem may all be involved in the process (demyelination).

Magnetic resonance of myelination and myelin disorders
By Marjo S. van der Knaap, J. Valk, Frederik Barkhof
Page 916

It turns out the T2 FLAIR sequences are sensitive enough to detect demyelination in the mid brain and hind brain structures pretty well. Grey matter has dendrites, which do not exist in white matter.  Grey matter axons are much shorter, but still myelinated.  

[jensequitur]

Demyelination in the basal ganglia is unusual.  The basal ganglia is part of the gray matter in the brain.  It's not usually a site of MS activity, because that usually attacks the myelin - and gray matter is low on myelin.  Hence the 'gray' appearance.  MS usually attacks the white matter.  At any rate, if the radiologist thinks it's demyelination, it probably is.  

I want to say that lesions in the corona are close to vascular spaces, which would indicate MS activity.  So yes, you do have a possibility of having MS.  However, the MRI shows that your lesions have shrunk in size, meaning that you're healing from previous damage.

At this point it's really up to you.  You're going to have to decide if the disease-modifying-drugs are worth the trouble.  If you're progressing, and feeling steadily worse, then I would recommend it.  Then again, if you're on medication for arthritis, you may not want other chemicals in your system.

[COBOB]

You have to be careful with all immunosuppressive agents.  Less for there direct effect, but they make you susceptible to infections.  That includes IVSM.

[Karen99]

Hi.  If my memory serves me right, remicade and MS don't mix well.  I believe Quix has mentioned this in a previous thread.

What does your neurologist have to say about your MRI and other symptoms?

[COBOB]

There is a genetic component to MS, but it seems related to susceptibility.  Demyelination = lesion.  The lesions were in areas where MS lesions are typical.  Remicade and Humara are both immunosupressive drugs used to treat OA.  To the best of my knowledge, these are not associated with demyelination in the brain.  In fact, demyelination is associated with increased immune activity in the brain.  Pain, fatigue and memeory loss with demyelination in the brain are all associated with MS.

Bob

[Lulu54]

Hi S, and welcome.  It sounds like you have a lot going on right now and I hope you don't add MS to the mix.  My mother in on Enberal for the psoriatic arthritis - I hope you get back on the remicaid soon because I know the drugs do offer some pain relief.

You do have the close family ties to this disease that increase your odds a bit, but MS is not inherited.  there is a family tendecy, which is confusingly idfferent.

The pain could come from your autoimmune disease.  Same with the fatigue and memory loss.  i hope you stick with the doctors and see if there isn't some answers that can help you to feel better.

be well, Lulu