1.5 Telsa MRI

[Angie9798]

Hello-

I have had 3 seperate MRI's...one of the brain, one C-Spine and one T-spine.  No lumbar.  All 3 were done to look for signs of MS.  All 3 were normal without contrast.

My question is...is this 1.5 Telsa machine strong enough to pick up lesions?  I have been sympomatic since January.  Kaiser will not run contrast UNLESS the normal MRI shows abnormalities.  I think the concept is backwards!

My neuro says he doesn't think I have MS based on this, but I have a hard time believing it.  He says that this may all be anxiety driven.  I totally disagree.  

Aslo, if this is MS...how long will the symptoms stay?  I have leg tingliness, heaviness, CONSTANT muscle twitches, achiness (like I'm chilled to the bone), tiredness, etc...

My neuro says he sees no sign of damage; I am still completely strong & very happy about that.  I am having a hard time dismissing how I feel.  I am typically a very hyper 34 year old stay home mom of 2....and I mean hyper.  Everything has changed...even my neck gets heavy!

Looking for advice....

Thanks,
Angie

[Angie9798]

Thanks for the help.  

Just a quick question, I am confused...did the 1.5 show any lesions?

How long did your first symptoms last?

[Lulu54]

Hi Angie, I don't believe we have crossed paths yet so let me welcome you to the MS forum here.  Sorry if my memory is failing me.

Hang in there looking for answers - if you've read much here you already know that diagnosing MS is as much a dx of exclusiong than one of finding sure signs of this MySterious disease.

Understanding the use of contrast in MRI's can be somewhat confusing so lets see if I can help.  Having contrast with your MRI for showing lesions is not necessary.  If you have lesions that will be visible on your MRI, they will be seen with or without contrast.

For MS the contrast is used to show if you have ACTIVE  lesions.  Lesions that are less than 30-40 days old will enhance with contrast and are an indication of the MS being in an active stage.  Lesions older than 30-40 days will not enhance.  Both new and older lesions are visible in an MRI without contrast.  

I hope that helps to put your mind at ease about this point.

My dx was done on a 1.5T - if you look at my profile and my pictures you will see a few MRI shots I have posted.  So yes, a 1.5 T can be strong enough to pick up lesions.  

A 3T is the preferred imaging strength because it gives us an even more detailed view of what is going on and sometimes a 3T will reveal lesions that are hidden in a 1.5T.

I hope something I've written here is of help to you.  You probably will have lots more questions - so be sure to ask.

Welcome again,
Lulu

[daisy.girl]

hi....I had an MRI in November on a 1.5 T magnet that came back unremarkable....and in Jan I had one on a 3T magnet and it showed white matter lesions consistent with MS. I was dx in Jan.

I understand your feelings and how tired and heavy and tingling your muscles are. I wish you the best....Have you been to an MS specialist?