Abnormal MRI..Diagnosis MS?

[Freakedout2501]

Okay...First off...I rarely go to the doctor!  But,,,,Went to the doctor on Thursday because I was having a mild headache and I noticed the my right eyelid was kind of droopy (barely noticable).  The reason I went is because my uncle (mom's brother) had the same symptoms and went to an eye doctor and was "lucky" enough to have a great doctor who realized something was not right and he went to hospital and was diagnosed with an anyersum.  So...that was my ONLY worry and my mom was driving me crazy!.

The emergency room doctor did an MRI with contrast and came back and said I had MS.

He had done a few quick tests on me before the MRI like  walking heeltotoe, touching fingers, etc. and my husband was there and said it went well.  I did not loose balance and maintained strength.  He said that he didn't think it was anything but wanted to do MRI just to make sure.  I told him that the headache is probably from the strain from my left shoulder and back had been bothering me for a while (like 1 year) and my lower right back but my mom and dad both have a history of slipped disks, pinched nerves, etc. and that I was going to make an appt. to get that checked out since we had just moved a bunch of furniture and that I probably pulled something.

When he came back in and hit me with this; I was blown away and probably did not ask all the right questions at all.  I do remember him saying MS is common and many people have a mild case.  He also said "a few lesions" which now I am not sure what that means.  He said that he believes that because I am having problems with my right shoulder and left lower back/leg and that just "doesn't happen" because they are on opposite sides of the body.  I asked him if MS could be the cause of the headaches and his response was simply, "yeah, possibility."

He gave me no other information except to see a neurologist (which I have appt on Tuesday.)


I have literally spent hours researching MS on the internet and I just can't believe that a simple MRI and a 5-7 min. (literally) evaluation is now a diagnosis of MS.  My back and leg symptoms are not stopping me from working or living (hello just moved an entire bedroom upstairs with my husband last weekend!)

Does an abnormal MRI ALWAYS mean MS?  Can it be read wrong?  Someone please help if you have any information!  Is it "normal" to get a diagnosis from an emergency room doctor???

How can I make sure I have the right diagnosis?

[Freakedout2501]

Okay,,,Well..Still waiting to get into the neurologist this week.. BUT...went to an opthamologist today for an eye exam and not hint of optic neutris and that my vision is perfectly fine .  Guess that is a good sign?  

Also, went to my doctor and she said that she believes the headaches are being caused by sinus by the way I explain them to her and she has given me nose spray and allergy medicine.

I have also made an appt. with an orthopedic for my left shoulder and right lower back area.

I also contacted the Wash U MS department here and have already requested to have my ER report and MRI report faxed to them. They seemed surprised that I was diagnosed from 1 emergency room visit and will not make an appt until they review the records.

I am still shocked by all the reading/research I have done that a diagnosis was made on 1 visit to ER for a headache.  Oh well, Guess I will see....

Thanks everyone!

[pennst8r]

Do you have a relationship with your doc that you could request a LD test, I'm told by "Western Blot" specifically?? If so, do so. I really know nothing else about the subject. It's one of the things that can mimic MS, so would need ruled out anyway.   LD is a bit of a sore subject around here at the moment - long story.

Hang in there. Hope you get some answers.

Penn

[Freakedout2501]

Okay...Maybe I am just stretching here...BUT....I live in MIssouri...about 20 years ago I was bitten by a tick that did stay in the top of my head for a while we believe since I found it by accident washing my hair.  My dad removed it but for AT LEAST 6 years following that I had a huge bump/scap that would break open every so often and would burn when I had a perm done on my hair.  Finally, (no more perms) it has healed.

However, my husband is an avid deer  hunter and goes every year in November...About 6 months ago (March..or so) I had a itchy rash that was localized in the middle with a definate spot of itch and was right below my left shoulder blade..(The blade now giving me the trouble.) It finally cleared up after about 3 weeks..Used coritozone cream for itching.  However, I still have a "brownish" mark where the localized itch began and if I push on it, it is still sore.

I also just got my blood results that show Routine - normal

CBC and Platelets - Platelets High

Differential - Normal

Moderate hemolysis present can cause significant faulsy elevated results.

Does this possibly sound like Lyme Disease or some other that could show liasons on a brain mri?

THANKS EVERYONE!

[Freakedout2501]

No,I do not have a droopy side of the face.  Thank you and I would appreciate any and all thoughts that you have.

I have acquired a copy of my MRI (not the report--can't get that myself for 30 days I am told); however they will release the report to a doctor before the 30 days is up.  But do have the MRI images on disk; but of course....makes little or no sense to me!

Again! Thanks so much to you and everyone else who has answered me...Thanks for including me in your prayers...

[Quixotic1]

Wow!  What a thing to be slammed with.  No, the MRI reading from the ER does not guarantee the diagnosis.  One of the things we work on here on the forum is helping people with the diagnostic process.  It is far more than just looking at an MRI.  Do you have a Bell's Palsy?  Droopy side of your face?

I'll be back later to talk a little about MS and ask you some questions to think about before you see the neurologist.  I hope we can help a lot!  Quix

[floridamom2]

Welcome to the forum!!  I am sorry you are freaked out and scared but you have found a great place to come and get reassurance that everything will be OK - MS or not!   I would check ot all the info you can on MS on the web and let us know if you have questions.  There are alot of great people here just waiting to help support you through this.

Take care and I will be praying for you!
Kristin

[T-lynn]

Wow what a blow.

Like stated above theres several disorders that can cause lesions and MS sadly to say is one of them.

The ER Dr may have jumped the gun a bit as for a proper DX,ya have to or should lesions of the brain or spine.Attacks seperated in time and 2 or more areas effected,

An example optical neuritis and brain lesions,spinal lesions and brain lesions or an abnormal lumbar puncture and spinal lesions or brain lesions.

MS is an individual disease with a laundry list of symptoms,we don't all get the same symptoms or have lesions in the same spots.

Remember there are many causes of brain lesions,but if it comes down to MS,your symptoms are mild and can remain that way for years.

Today there are disease modifying meds to help.

The best is wait and see your neuro,write lots of questions down and get answers.Possibly the muscle strains you are feeling are muscle spasms.

Neuros are not the nicest creactures,be strong ,firm and have someone with you.

Welcome to our cyber family,this is a fantastic group here.

Before I had an attack I had just layed 400 ceramic tiles in my kitchen.

[pennst8r]

Welcome to our forum. I don't think I've seen you around before. There is always a chance in any test that it can be read incorrectly, and yes, lesions can be caused by other things than MS. I think it has a lot to do with the general shape and configuration of the lesions. Hopefully Quix or some of the other folks with more knowledge will pop in with a better explanation soon. If you do have MS, please keep in mind that they've come such a very long way in treatment over the past several years. It can be well-managed these days, though still no cure. I do not have a doagnosis, but do have 2 sisters with firm and long-standing diagnoses. It is actually lucky that yours was caught so quickly. Many, many of us have been searching for answers for months or years. In my case a year so far. Symptoms differ form person to person, so while some folks may have more different types of symptoms, others may have a smaller number.

Anyway, I just wanted to try to ease your fears a bit until the others chime in. Hope I was able to help even a little. Stick around here; you're in good hands and among friends.

Penn

[Freakedout2501]

Thanks for responding....I just called and asked for my report from the emergency room and was told that I could only get a copy of the MRI because I had to wait 30 days to get the report.  I think I am going to go get the MRI but not sure if that will help.  When I asked the doctor at the emergnecy room, he kinda of blew it all off and "nothing major" with the MS (not a good bedside manner). And said I had a "few" leisons when I asked.  I never did see the MRI or the report. Other than the two symptoms I listed above; I have had no other symptoms!!!  His basic thought of what he said was the leisons were on the MRI and since I had left should pain and lower right back pain...It just doesn't happen in different areas like that...That is why it is called "multiple" sclerosis.  You feel it in different places.  

However, I have had issues with these areas, pretty much unchanging for at least a year and just let it ride assuming it was a slipped disk, pinched nerve, etc.  All my symptoms seem to line up with that...

Does anyone else know if the MRI could have been read wrong or if there are other possibilities for lesions?  Also, I am going to try and look at the MRI myself and see these "leisons" based on what I have reserched.  Any information anyone has would definately help!

Thanks so much!

[risnerrose]

I'm new to this MS world, but you have arrived at an awesome forum.  This has been my sounding board for a few months now.  Welcome aboard.  

I actually had an MRI because of odd symptoms.  (I thought I was having strokes, because MS had been ruled out a year ago.)  The MRI showed several small lesions, which I was told could be caused by migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, etc.  I then had a lumbar puncture - which was also abnormal.  The LP and MRI both suggest MS.  I also was caught off guard when I went to the neurologist.  I regretted not having someone with me.  It can be so overwhelming, and sad-to-say not all neurologists are sensitive.  I hope you have a positive experience on Tuesday, and I recommend that you take someone with you and/or have a list of questions/concerns.  

Keep us posted.

Sherry
  

[Freakedout2501]

Oopps...Just freaked out...It is my left shoulder and right lower back and leg area.  Just to clarify...Feels more like a strain than anything...Mom also has a lower blockage on her spine that effects her legs too..