MS

[TerryB360]

I just went for an MRI on my lumbar without contrast as I thought I was done the told me that they where waiting on the doctor they wanted to use contrast can someone tell me why. I have been having a lot of signs of MS and the doctor have told me that it is my head. I am a veteran with PTSD so that is why they have told me this

[kwarendorf]

Hi Terry,

Caudia equina syndrome is mechanical, unlike MS which is neurological. Something is physically compressing a nerve bundle in your lumbar spine. The non contrast MRI was likely to see exactly how the nerve bundle was being compressed.  I had several more than one in conjunction with my lumbar spinal surgery.

Once the compression is relieved you should start to see improvement. Have they discussed treatment options with you?

Kyle

[TerryB360]

Yes they did and I am at the point were I can barley walk. and with the small peripheral tumor on top of all this  it is more frustrating because I a disabled veteran with PTSD make it more complicated everything is still hurry up and wait.

[kwarendorf]

Hi Terry -

Cauda Equina is the name of an anatomical structure. As such, everyone has one :-)

Did they say you had Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Kyle

[TerryB360]

what do they do for that they also said the I also said that I have cauda equina

[TerryB360]

This most likely represents a small peripheral nerve sheath tumor associated with the cauda equina.

[TerryB360]

This most likely represents a small peripheral nerve sheath tumor associated with the cauda equina.

[essdipity]

If they found something on the lumbar spine, it is not MS.

[TerryB360]

well I got the results back and they did find something now because of being in the military everything is hurry up and wait and that is what I have to do hopefully Monday. They found something on the spine, now I hope they will do a brain MRI

[essdipity]

The thing is, we're all talking about MS and lesions. Terry's issue seems not to be MS, and that's why I don't know what his doctor was looking for.

ess

[Lulu54]

I'm not sure what would show with contrast in the lumbar region - because as others have already said, lesions don't form there.  Now you have me wondering what else contrast might be used for... could you have perhaps misheard which spinal section they wanted a closer look at?

Good luck with this next step - getting the VA to discuss MS is getting a bit easier, but it is still a tough road.
~Laura

PS thanks for serving our country!

[SarahL2491]

Everyone has given you good advice.  It will not hurt to have this done, but there are NO lesions in the lumbar region.  He may be looking for something else or ruling out something else.  But the lesions are in the brain, neck area and thorax.  Usually those in the spine are the hardest to see.

You are indeed lucky to be a vet with a neuro willing to do this, I know many who can't talk their neuro in the VA to even consider MS.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to our little group.
Sarah

[All_Names_Taken]

It means that the tech saw something that needed contrast while doing your MRI. They are obligated to call the radiologist and get approval before using contrast.

We would do all spines with & without if MS was suspected.


Former MRI Tech

[PeninaD]

Usually Brain, neck, and thorax are where you would have an MRI with and without contrast to look for lesions.  
The Lumbar region is where the true spinal cord ends, and Cauda Equina ("horse tail") starts...meaning the cord branches out into individual nerves.

[essdipity]

Hi, Terry. I don't know why your doctor ordered contrast dye for part of an MRI of the lumbar region. That's because the lumbar spine does not contain any part of the spinal cord, and MS is a disease of the brain and spinal cord, which comprise the central nervous system.

It seems as though your doctor is not suspecting MS at this time. Is he or she a neurologist? MS has a great many possible symptoms, and many people who have some of these (actually the big majority of people) will not wind up with a diagnosis of MS but of something else.

When you can, get a copy of the radiologist's MRI report, and then discuss the findings with the doctor who ordered it, asking him what he suspects or suspected. PTSD and other mood disorders can cause a lot of symptoms, but no one here can say it's all in your head.

Good luck in getting to the bottom of this. I hope you feel better soon.

ess