blood test came back normal

Hi, well my blood test came back normal. Can I still have ms? My mri is on the 25th, such a long time to wait!
                      Thank You

[grannyhotwheels]

If I remember right I think that my blood test where normal too, and I still have MS.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[oh well]

Thank You for responing, Should my sed-rate be high? Also what about ANA? Do you test pos for that?

[T-lynn]

All my standard blood test came back normal,thats a good thing!!!!!

Sed rate shows inflamation (inflammation),which can be seen in MS,but DRs look at it from an arthritis point.A high ANA they would look for lupus and other disorders.

As of right now theres no blood test that are specific to detecting MS.However when I was at the cleveland clinic they ran hundreds of blood test and one blood serum test came back extremely low its called 1-methylhistidine after researching this is what I found ----reduced serum carnosinase(an enzyme in 1-methylhistidine) activity is found in patients with parkinsons and MS and patients following a cerebrovacular accident..Vitamin E defficiency can also cause this(mine was normal)

Yes,theres that possibility that you can still have MS.Blood test are ran to rule out disorders.

[Siddy1]

Hi Sallie,

Good news that your blood tests are normal, but in regard to diagnosing MS that is just one piece of the puzzle. As T-Lynn said, and as you acknowledged in your last post, the blood test is to rule out other disorders or diseases.  So now they have ruled out certain diseases, your doctor can move on to other possibilities.

I see that you are still waiting to get an MRI and that you had one done back  in 1994 which came back negative. Your Pars Planitis (inflammatory eye disease)  may occur as a complication of systemic illness although this is not known for sure.  I think another MRI would definitely be in order as it has been so long since the last one and who knows what has happened during the past 13 years  - especially in  view of the other symptoms you mentioned, i.e.  tremors, numbness, dizziness, dropping things and being  very tired all the time.  I was also wondering if you are taking any medication for your Pars Planitis?

If you have time you might want to go back and read the "timelines" of other members who have posted on this board to give you an idea of what may be involved.

Hang in there. It sometimes can be a long process, but hopefully they can come up with the right answers.

Marcie

[oh well]

Thank You so much for the info. I am not taking any meds. yet my appt. is on Friday to see if I have to have eye surgery or steroids. My mri appt. is on sept. 25 such along time to wait!!
                      

             Sallie

[Spuk]

I have tremors, weakness, hands and head shakes, to name a few symptoms I will also add spots in my eyes and occular migranes (migraines).
I was just informed that my Neuro Doc found "multiple lesions of the brain".
He now wants vision aquity and spinal tap.
My ? is-if the tap is normal can I still have MS?  His nurse said no-it is definitive if the results are poisitive you do have it and if negative you do not have it.
From what I am reading here-that's not true?
Sorry I am new but just registered and have appointments tomorrow for the test-I'm so afraid.  Thank you

[doublevision1]

My understanding is that the spinal tap is not a definitive test.  If there is an abnormal result, this can confirm a MS dx along with meeting other criteria.  However if the spinal tap comes back normal, this does not rule out MS.

Blood tests are a different matter.  As mentioned above, there isn't a blood test for MS.  Blood work is done to rule out other possible conditions that mimic MS (ie: there is a specific blood test for Myasthenia Gravis, for example).

You said your neuro found "multiple lesions of the brain."  I assume then that you have had a MRI?

I'm sorry you are feeling fearful, and can totally relate to those feelings.  It is a scary feeling for your body to betray you.  If possible can you bring someone to your appt with you?  I found when I was in the diagnostic process, I was very anxious at my appts and found it hard to focus on everything that was being said.  It can be helpful to have someone with you to take notes, ask questions, not to mention give you some moral support.

My personal experience with the spinal tap was uneventful.  I had no pain, during or after the procedure.  There are many others on this board with the same experience, so I hope this aspect is not causing you too much worry.

Good luck to you.

db1

[gollie]

Hi there:

Oh Well: just wanted to say that you have already gotten great answers
on the blood work questions.  I went threw a ton of them for rueling out
other diseases and or disorders.

Spuk: I had an abnormal mri with a few leisions, and several small foci.
plus an attack of head pain that sent me to emercency.
They did a lp in  the er and only tested it for spinal menijitis.
which I did not have  grr.

my nero did not make me go threw another lp but did have me go for

Evoked Potential Studies: which can help in supporting the dx of MS
EEG    Normal with noted slowing
BAER  abnormal
VER   abnormal bilaterally
Somatosensory evoked response   abnormal  on upper extremities and abnormal on lower extremities.

I was dx's  with out he lp.     Just wanted to add these comments to this thread
                        I hope it will help.           All My best Gollie

[Spuk]

Thanks for the info, seems I am learning more every day about possibilities of what can be wrong. The LP was done-they tell me 3 weeks for results, & hospital also took another 4 viles of blood but wouldnt tell me why. Neuro doc took 4 files before mri results were determined. Anyway, The mri was w/ & w/o contrast which apparently is the majical test that finally showed the multiple brain lesions that got me to where I am -
Again-waiting . In meantime I wanted to say I would like to add you guys as my friends if ok for future references on these subjects and tell you I appreciate this ability to ask for help & get great answers from people who are going through this. Although I am obviously very emotional over this ordeal I actually prefer to know the facts.
By the way I am not alone in this my husband goes with me-but I can't react when he is around, it upsets him. I have to be strong-I'm tired of being strong and look forward to this site and your honest help along with an occassional good cry.  Thanks again.
Spuk