Can a peron w/ MS be in remission & have a negative spinal tap?

I have many symptoms of MS (also, mri's show greater than 20 lesions & indicate dymelinating disease) ) but spinal tap is negative & current symptoms are very mild.  Could that mean that I am in remission but still have MS or will possibly get it in the future?  Or, does it mean that I definitely don't have MS at all & probably won't have it in the
future?   I would very much appreciate any guidance or feedback.  Thank you very much!  Roni

[Alysia77]

Let me first tell you I am not a DR. But i am a person living with MS.  I too have a negative spinal tap and many lesions( and many symtoms (symptoms) too!)  There are several other test that can be preformed to help you get a proper diagnosis.  Ask your neuro to do an Evoked Potenials test.  Also another MRI in a few months may also be needed to determine if you have more lesions then the last MRI.  MS sometimes takes a long time to diagnos. And lesions on the brain can also be several other diseases as well. On that note, MS can go into remission for years.  But if you have it you will always have it.  If you are in remission go out and enjoy it for as long as it lasts!

Alysia

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
A "negative" spinal tap does not rule out MS or other diseases. An abnormal autoimmune response in CSF is found in a number of other diseases, so the test is not specific for MS. Conversely, some 5%-10% of people with MS never show these CSF abnormalities. Therefore, analysis of the CSF by itself cannot confirm or rule out a diagnosis of MS. It must be part of the total clinical picture that takes into account other diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging. As you have symptoms and MRI saying that it is a demyelinating disease , it is most probably MS . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !

[Rondi]

Hi Alysia,  Thanks for your email.  I did have the Evoked P. test which
was negative.  That was done almost a yr. ago.  I will probably get a
2nd opinion.  I just don't want progression of the disease if I really do
have it.  Thanks again!  Rondi