VEP "within normal limits"

What does that mean for the search for a diagnosis? Does it rule anything out, or in?

[6-paq]

A "positive" VEP could help rule in MS by providing another piece of evidence for a diagnosis.  A negative VEP doesn't rule MS in or out.   My VEP was normal too ~ I'm still un-dx'd.

I heard that some people that have a history of Optic Neuritis have tested normal on a VEP.

Have you a history of Optic Neuritis or problems with your eyesight?

[Sunnytoday]

Hi! Finally finished getting all the glue out of my hair from the test today! Yes, my opthamalogist was quite emphatic that I had O.N. about three or four weeks ago, however when I saw my neuro last week he wasn't too sure after seeing the vision field test results "they are ok" and if this VEP is ok, i hope he doesn't think I'm making it up. I'm still seeing white lights in dimly lit rooms, and have pain when i move my eye to the left or right.

I do have a list of other neurological symptoms which actually led the neuro to believe that is "may be MS", but that's for another post. :)
Thanks for your reply, it helped!
~Sunnytoday~

[santana8]

I had a positive VEP and about 10 white matter lesions on the brain MRI. The eye doctor said that he doen't see any evidence on the optive nerves that I had ON, but I had all of the symptoms and a visual field defect. My neuro and neuro-opthalmologist both said that if I did have ON it was further back toward the brain( Retroubular Neuritis). This type does not show up on fundiscopic exam as this test only shows the optic nerve head and part of the optic nerve.

All of this evidence supporting MS, but a negative LP, and negative bloodwork. My first Neuro dx MS with only the positvive MRI and Positive VEP, without any bloodwork or an LP. He didn't want to do further testing to rule out mimics. Infact, he never even mentioned mimic's. I wasn't comfortable with this, so I got a second opinion. Afterall a speedy but incorrect dx is not always the best thing.

Second neuro and still my doctor now. Done bloodwork- negative, LP-negative, and repeat MRI's every six months for two years. They all show no new lesions, no enhancement, and no change. He didn't put much wieght in the VEP, not sure why though!

My dx is still ADEM, but he is watching me for MS. But he said that he would not dx me with MS just for the sake of having a dx. He said that he does not want to put me on the DMD's unless he is sure that MS is what I have! He said that he thinks there may be a lot of people out there on DMD's and with an MS DX that don't have MS.

I guess what he is saying is that all the mimic's need to ruled out first. I don't know if he is right or not. I thought about seeing a third neuro just to see which one of the two I have already seen that he agree's with. THis is a tough choice for us all to have to make!

This is my experience with the VEP, hope it helps you some.

Santana