I'm new here

[scupellh26]

Hi everyone. I've read lots of posts here over the past several weeks and appreciate all the information you all share.

I'm awaiting diagnosis. There are at least 10 measurable lesions on my brain, but not in the places typically associated with MS, and they did not "light" up when I had the brain MRI with contrast on a T3 machine. I'm having a C-spine with and without contrast tonight.

I've got plenty of symptoms--numbness, tingling, itching, falls, pain, etc. Nothing with my eyes. What makes my case unique, I guess, is that I also have a spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident 6 years ago (as of May 23). I'm fused from T6-11 (no lesions apparent among all the hardware), and spent the summer of 2010 learning to walk again.

So, originally I thought that the symptoms I was having were part of aging (I'm 46 this year) and weight gain, but all of what I'm experiencing now is so different from anything up until now. I'm really hoping for some answers after tonight's test to tell me what is really going on. I know some of you have nightmarish stories about misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis.

I guess I just wanted to put my story out there and get some reassurance that I should listen to what my body is telling me and continue to track my symptoms and pursue diagnosis.

[scupellh26]

I have done the neuro exam, Aspen. Weakness left side, over-reactive reflexes, ataxia. I am very lucky to have access to the stronger MRI. I moved to Delaware in August, but am still seeing the neurologist in Virginia. It's hard to get an appointment on the 3T machine, but definitely worth it from all I've read. My neurologist isn't an MS specialist, but his nurse practitioner was diagnosed with MS and specializes in MS and other neurological diseases. Again, I'm very lucky.

[scupellh26]

Thank you for the feedback, JJ.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

The higher 3T strength MRI is suppose to pick up approx 25% more than the 1.5T would, there are exceptions that are to do with software upgrades, smaller slices with MS protocol vs standard etc etc

Unfortunately, non specific and untypical lesion location doesn't take MS off your list of potential causes list but it would definitely put MS lower on the list, as would having a pre-existing spinal cord injury, and having your spine fused from T6-11.

I'd be thinking your existing spinal injury is a more likely explanation than MS would be, but at this stage it's always better to keep open minded on what's causing what, you've battled the hard slog once before, and you won so don't back off perusing your answer now, it maybe related to what you know or something totally new, so yes pursue and keep track....

Hope that helps.......JJ    

[HVAC]

Is your neurologist a MS Specialist? There are not many of them. With out one it is harder for a diagnosis. Even with one it can take years for a diagnosis. Was your MRI done under MS protocol that is more pictures or as they call them slices?

It is important to listen to your body and get an answer. I used listen to the doctor when they said it was nothing. I thought they would say my MS symptoms were nothing, but they did not. I had to go through two years of tests.

If you know something is wrong keep pushing. It may not be MS or it may be. It goes both ways with people who come to the forum.

Alex

[aspen2]

You should definitely pursue diagnosis ... just know there are a lot of ms mimics, many of which cause lesions in the brain, and some of which cause spinal lesions.  Multiple sclerosis tends to be the most common thing that comes up when you search neurological symptoms online which is why most people assume "it must be ms" initially.  I encourage you to track symptoms and pursue, but don't hold too tightly yet to MS being the answer :).

Have you had a neuro exam?  Reflexes, strength etc.? Or will that be when you see neurologist after your imaging is done?  Often neurologists are unwilling to make decisions on neurological issues immediately -- you may have to be followed for some period of time (especially given the lesions in non-ms areas and lack of enhancement).

You're pretty lucky to be having your initial scans on a 3T mri!  Lots of talk around here about how it's difficult to find these machines -- I've only ever had imaging done on a 1.5T (and spent 3 years in limbo lol).

Best wishes during the waiting time, and I hope it's not too long for you before you get some answers!