inactive ms

[mceg]

I have psoratic arthritis, I had a flair in August but some different symptoms. My pc sent me to a neurologist
My brain mri was good but my spinal mri showed a lession. My lumbar puncture was normal. The nueroligist said
I may have inactive MS she is going to repeat the mri in six months. What is inactive MS. I have had problems for years. I was once diagnosed with Lupus then undiagnosed. When I was in my twentys they thought I might have MS.
Then it never came up again til now

[HVAC]

The standard is to recheck every six months. This make no sense to us but this is how Neurologists work. In the mean time it might be good to keep a concise daily journal and if you have any Neurological symptoms write them down. It is easy to forget.

Alex

[mceg]

Thank you for the information I am on Methatraxate which helps some. It helped the arthritis alot when I was on a higher dose but it made me sick alot. So I am back on a lower dosage. I will ask about Remicade.
mceg

[Sumanadevii]

My sister has psoratic arthritis.  So many of our symptoms are the same.  Unless your doctor is listening, who knows how many flairs you have had.  I hope you stay under the care of the neuro going back for future MRI's.

By the way, my sister is on Remicade which truly gave her a new life.

[mceg]

Thank you, yes Psoriatic Arthritis is very painful, I am back on meds that hepl control it.
I have wondered recently if maybe this is not all from my arthritis. I don't know if that could have caused the lesion in my spine.
mceg

[RedFlame]

let us know what happens.  Psoriatic Arthritis is a painful condition, I hope you are able to keep the pain level down.

Red

[mceg]

Thank you and Bob for your information. I truly appreciate the help and information
   mceg

[mceg]

Thank you for you response. It was helpful. I am just trying to absorb and learn what I can.
I am now schuduled for follow up MRI in six months. The MRI was done with enhancement-
Gandolium I believe it is called. I don't know if the lesion was large or small.
I did have an attack of some sorts that is why they ordered the MRI of the brain. It was okay. Then after my examination with the nuerologist she orderd the one for the spine and that was when the lesion was found.
Yes this is very complicated. Thank you for the info.
                                       mceg

[Lulu54]

Hi, in addition to what Bob has to offer, there is  a category that's sometimes used (more in the UK) called benign MS.  It means the MS is not causing problems and the doctor is GUESSING that it won't cause damage in the future.  The problem with this diagnosis is it is a huge gamble to take withholding treatment.  

I wish you well and hope you can get some answers soon.

Lulu

[COBOB]

Inactive MS is a poor choice of words.  There is no way of knowing it is inactive.  This is more like "There is a lesion and we don't see clinical symptoms to go with the lesion."  That does not mean inactive.  There is another term sometimes used called "Silent MS."  That means yes, you have MS, but it isn't making any noise.  I'm guessing the MRI was done with contrast and there was no enhancement.  That would mean that the lesion is more than 40 days old.  Depending on the size of the lesion, it could be Silent MS or (if was was a large lesion) an old Transverse Myelitis.  

As far as I know, there is really no such thing as "inactive MS."  Under the Revised McDonald criteria, you have to have two "attacks" and two objective clinical lesions (not MRI lesions, but two neurologic deficits in different areas.)  If you have had no attacks and they found a lesion on MRI, that is referred to as RIS or radiologically Isolated Syndrome.  You never knew there was an issue until they did the MRI.

It get kind of complicated and some people use terminology that has fallen out of common usage.

Bob