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How does MRI show nerve damage?
If I am having bladder and bowel issues that are related to nerve damage from MS, would an MRI of my spine and/or brain show definitively that the nerve damage was present and specific to that part of my body?
I've had MRI's with lesions in the past but no diagnosis. Various mild symptoms over the past several years, with the exception of fatigue...which is not mild, but severe! I now have these unexplainable bladder and bowel issues...I am hesitant to pursue the MS path again, having been told I didn't have it, but I am desperate for an answer to what is wrong with my body!!
I've had MRI's with lesions in the past but no diagnosis. Various mild symptoms over the past several years, with the exception of fatigue...which is not mild, but severe! I now have these unexplainable bladder and bowel issues...I am hesitant to pursue the MS path again, having been told I didn't have it, but I am desperate for an answer to what is wrong with my body!!
Thank you for the responses.
So it sounds like the relationship can be murky between MRI lesions and what's happening in your body... I suppose that shouldn't surprise me, as MS seems most frustrating because it IS a bit different for everyone. You all have my empathy dealing with the craziness!
I had been having trouble with incontinence for a long time but figured it was just related to having big babies and being a runner...I actually had bladder suspension surgery on Nov. 1 along with a hysterectomy & rectocele.
It seemed like everything was healed properly until about a month ago, when I started to have symptoms of a UTI but with no infection. I am up most nights, going to the bathroom at about 3 am then laying awake in bed from pain...feels like I still have to go.
I've had an on-going almost...joke with my boyfriend about my infrequent bowel movements. I always have trouble going even on a ridiculously healthy diet and sometimes go almost a week between...
As I lay in bed last night I realized, I never feel like I have to have a bowel movement. When I go to the bathroom and have one, it's not because I went there to do that, you know? I don't think I can tell when I need to.
I've already been back to the dr. who did my surgery and he says everything "looks good." Just had back x-rays. Nothing but a little arthritis, probably from how lazy I've gotten over the last couple of years!
I'm only 42. I was a runner when this hit me, training for a half marathon. My life has drastically changed. Something is going on. I just need to know WHAT!
Well, thank you for your in put... and encouragement- I sure do appreciate it! I am going to try to get my tired butt in gear to schedule another appointment! :)
So it sounds like the relationship can be murky between MRI lesions and what's happening in your body... I suppose that shouldn't surprise me, as MS seems most frustrating because it IS a bit different for everyone. You all have my empathy dealing with the craziness!
I had been having trouble with incontinence for a long time but figured it was just related to having big babies and being a runner...I actually had bladder suspension surgery on Nov. 1 along with a hysterectomy & rectocele.
It seemed like everything was healed properly until about a month ago, when I started to have symptoms of a UTI but with no infection. I am up most nights, going to the bathroom at about 3 am then laying awake in bed from pain...feels like I still have to go.
I've had an on-going almost...joke with my boyfriend about my infrequent bowel movements. I always have trouble going even on a ridiculously healthy diet and sometimes go almost a week between...
As I lay in bed last night I realized, I never feel like I have to have a bowel movement. When I go to the bathroom and have one, it's not because I went there to do that, you know? I don't think I can tell when I need to.
I've already been back to the dr. who did my surgery and he says everything "looks good." Just had back x-rays. Nothing but a little arthritis, probably from how lazy I've gotten over the last couple of years!
I'm only 42. I was a runner when this hit me, training for a half marathon. My life has drastically changed. Something is going on. I just need to know WHAT!
Well, thank you for your in put... and encouragement- I sure do appreciate it! I am going to try to get my tired butt in gear to schedule another appointment! :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have to agree with ess about being cautious with trying to map lesions with symptoms but i'd like to add that bowel and bladder issues vary greatly and there are many things that can cause them.
At this stage, which is over quite a few years, you still do not have a dx of MS or any other condition to explain it all. You haven't mentioned bowel or bladder issues before and considering it could add weight to what the dx could be. I strongly suggest, if you haven't seen your GP yet, to make an appointment and mention all of what's happening to you now and make it clear that you need help to find the solution to what is causing it all!
Cheers.........JJ
At this stage, which is over quite a few years, you still do not have a dx of MS or any other condition to explain it all. You haven't mentioned bowel or bladder issues before and considering it could add weight to what the dx could be. I strongly suggest, if you haven't seen your GP yet, to make an appointment and mention all of what's happening to you now and make it clear that you need help to find the solution to what is causing it all!
Cheers.........JJ
Just want to caution *against* trying to map symptoms and lesions. Often that's simply not possible. Please see our Health Pages on MRIs.
I'm a good (maybe a bad) example. My earliest symptoms, which have been present for 12 or 13 years, indicate one or more spinal lesions. My neuro thinks the cervical area is involved, considering both arm and leg are affected on the right side, but I have yet to have an MRI that clearly shows this. Maybe a little lesion, or maybe who knows what. On April 22 I have yet another MRI scheduled, of brain and neck, and this may still not show anything definitive, since I'm having the same symptoms, only worse. The MRI really is intended only as a baseline before I start Tecfidera, a new med.
Neck and spine MRIs are very tricky. Swallowing, breathing, heart pumping, just living, can confuse the results. My brain is a mess, in many ways :-) but still is not classic for MS. Yet years ago I received a definite MS diagnosis. This is largely a function of having really experienced neuros who know what they're doing.
So that's what you need. Unfortunately, nothing about MS is cut and dried.
ess
I'm a good (maybe a bad) example. My earliest symptoms, which have been present for 12 or 13 years, indicate one or more spinal lesions. My neuro thinks the cervical area is involved, considering both arm and leg are affected on the right side, but I have yet to have an MRI that clearly shows this. Maybe a little lesion, or maybe who knows what. On April 22 I have yet another MRI scheduled, of brain and neck, and this may still not show anything definitive, since I'm having the same symptoms, only worse. The MRI really is intended only as a baseline before I start Tecfidera, a new med.
Neck and spine MRIs are very tricky. Swallowing, breathing, heart pumping, just living, can confuse the results. My brain is a mess, in many ways :-) but still is not classic for MS. Yet years ago I received a definite MS diagnosis. This is largely a function of having really experienced neuros who know what they're doing.
So that's what you need. Unfortunately, nothing about MS is cut and dried.
ess
Thanks so much Kyle! I have requested my medical records and I looked up a doctor on the MS Society website from the University of Michigan (I'm in Grand Rapids, our offerings are a bit smaller here...I guess it's time to drive for a second opinion). I appreciate your support... it helps a lot! :)
I would suggest you see a neurologist that specializes in MS. NP's are invaluable, but not in the diagnostic phase.
Recently I was having neuropathic pain issues with my feet. I worked extensively with the NP at my MS clinic to find the right cocktail of meds. And we did :-)
Kyle
Recently I was having neuropathic pain issues with my feet. I worked extensively with the NP at my MS clinic to find the right cocktail of meds. And we did :-)
Kyle
I had MRI's in 07 & 08 and then again I think in 2010 or 11....has been a while and I have been ridiculously tired for 2 years!! Seems to be getting worse. The last dr. I saw was actually a nurse practictioner who insisted I do not have MS though at the time she had not seen the later of my MRI's, only the 5 year old ones. She was very dismissive, chided me for not being able to effectively describe the difference between "numbness" and "tingling"....her bedside manner obviously did not agree with me! I'm just so frustrated...I don't want another bad experience. But my instincts know SOMETHING is wrong. Oh the answer to your 2nd question is, she didn't really give me a reason why she ruled it out. She just said "not MS".
Hi Kristine - I'm sorry you're having a tough time, but glad you found us.
Bowel and bladder issues are common MS symptoms, as is fatigue. Fatigue is probably the # 1 complaint.
Yes, MRI's will show nerve damage. Lesions in both brain and spine are, more often than not, will show the lesions that are the hallmark of MS. These scans will also show black holes, which are areas wear the nerve has been damaged and then shrunk to almost nothing.
Others here may be better able to help regarding the mapping of lesion location to symptom.
When was your last MRI done? What did the doc give as a reason for ruling out MS?
Kyle
Bowel and bladder issues are common MS symptoms, as is fatigue. Fatigue is probably the # 1 complaint.
Yes, MRI's will show nerve damage. Lesions in both brain and spine are, more often than not, will show the lesions that are the hallmark of MS. These scans will also show black holes, which are areas wear the nerve has been damaged and then shrunk to almost nothing.
Others here may be better able to help regarding the mapping of lesion location to symptom.
When was your last MRI done? What did the doc give as a reason for ruling out MS?
Kyle
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