Is it MS, and what does it mean?

My neurologist called me last week and told me that he wanted me to come in as soon as I can.  He told me that he didn't see any active MS...but that he seen scarring from old MS?  What does this mean?  I have to go see him tomorrow and I'm scared to death. I never even HEARD of MS before this.  My head feels like it's floating all the time....I have a twitching in the side of my mouth....I feel really tired ALL THE TIME.....I just have an all over, nasty feeling.  Does it sound like MS?

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi, I'm sorry that I can't help you with your question but I'm sure someone will be able to real soon, I just wanted to let you know that I'll be praying for you as you go to the doctor.  I do hope for the best.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[trdeleon]

Thank you! I think I need all the prayer I can get!

[Sonaya]

I too am sorry I can't answer your question, never heard of old MS scarring either but I did want to wish you all the best with your appointment and would be very interested to hear what your neuro has to say if you feel like updating us afterwards.
All the very best.

[sllowe]

Hi trlean,

Welcome to the forum, you sound very scared, and it's totally understandable.  Try to stay as calm as you can, although when you are not feeling well, it's going to be hard to do.

Sounds to me, that they are looking at results from an MRI, and there is no "active" lesions.  Did you have an MRI? What brought you to the Dr? Did they run bloodwork?

Good luck at the Dr.  Are you bringing someone with you?  It's very helpful to have someone with you, incase you forget something that the Dr says, or someone who can help you remember what you'd like to ask.

Be well,
SL

[biowham]

Sounds like you had an MRI and that part of it was with "enhancement." Did they poke a needle in you to inject some dye? At any rate, "old scarring" means areas of the brain that either show up like white spots on one form of MRI; these are spots where the water content differs from the surrounding tissue, and it differs because there is scar tissue and other molecular changes there. It's "old" because with the dye, there is no sign of "active" lesions; the dye enhances thoses, and the MRI impressions might read, "Nonenhancing lesions" or "no enhancement," meaning that there is not an active demyelinating process going on in that area. Where the scars are, a process has already occurred. If these areas persist in the scarring, they may eventually show up as black spots on the MRI, meaning *really old* areas of insult.

Did your doc do a full neuro exam on you (tapping, poking, vibration tests, brush tests, positional tests, etc.)? Has your doc said anything about lumbar puncture or blood tests or evoked potentials testing? You might want to do a bit of research on these to ask about them or in case your doc says you need to do them.

Good luck,
Emily

[tanky]

Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  I certainly hope the doctor has encouraging news for you.  I am not a doctor, but it may be what SL said above about active lesions.  From what I understand (again not a doc), the active lesions appear differently on an MRI.  Active lesions may be causing new symptoms or worsening of old symptoms.  A nonactive lesion "may" be the reason for some of your lasting symptoms...I don't know.  Regardless, I'm happy for you that you don't have any new or active lesions....that is my goal for my next MRI.  Even if you are diagnosed with MS, it can mean different things for each person and be very individualized.  Please know that even if you're convinced you have MS (or another illness, I assume), getting the diagnosis can be emotional and throw you onto an emotional rollercoaster.  Everyone on this forum will be here for you.  Please keep us updated.