Diagnosis of MS

[tamhart9]

I am still in the diagnosis stage with my doctor. I have had my MRI. Does MS always show up in great detail on the MRI or is this something that needs to be repeated over and over again.

[young at heart]

I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 1998 AND DIDN'T START ANY DISEASE MODIFYING MEDS UNTIL FEBUARY 2007 AND I'M NOT IN A WHEEL CHAIR.

I'M 42, I WEAR LEG BRACES,BUT THATS A COMBO OF A BAD BACK AND THE MS.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL,BUT YOU HAVE GREAT FAITH IN THE MAN ABOVE,YOU ARE CORRECT WHEN YOU STATED ONLY HE KNOWS OUR FATE.

MANY I KNOW WITH MS ARE NOT IN WHEEL CHAIRS,THEY LEAD VERY PRODUCTIVE LIVES.

THIS DISEASE IS MANAGEABLE TODAY, WE HAVE OUR LIMITATIONS ON SOMEDAYS.

KEEP POSITIVE

T-LYNN

[essdipity]

He is being extremely conservative. You will lie flat in the hospital for 2 hours, and then should take it very easy at home. Two days is not too long for this part, but unless you do get a bad headache, you will not need to be lying down the whole time.

Others here will chime in with their experiences.

ess

[Heather3418]

MS is not a matter of what is seen on MRI.  It involves relapses and remissions of symptoms, evidence of lesions on MRI involving the brain and spinal cord, what is found on physical exam and what can be eliminated by other tests.  MS mimics so many other disorders that it really can be a difficult thing for doctors to diagnose.

Approximately 5% of patients with definite MS, do not show lesions on MRI.  It is thought that as the years go by that eventually lesions will show up.  With the stronger magnets of the newer and more powerful MRI machines, lesions are now being seen that have not been detected on lower strength MRI.  The new 7t MRI is upcoming and hopefully will be in use soon.  It is not currently in use at imaging centers, but is in use a a couple of locations being researched.  The higher the "flair-sequence," 3t for instance, the better the ability to see lesions that otherwise could not be seen.

The Lumbar Puncture can be useful in diagnosing MS, since it will show inflammatory cells in the cerebral spinal fluid.  But again, this does not always show up in all people diagnosed with MS.

I know this is all confusing information.  I hope other members will chime in and give their thoughts.  Typically the diagnosis of MS is by process of elimnation of other causes.

Hope this helps somewhat for you to understand.

Heather

[essdipity]

I'll try to help here. First, the LP usually isn't bad at all. Please don't obsess over it. Also don't obsess about what could happen with MS. Lots of stuff happens in life, much of it not predictable, or if it can be predicted, it can't be prevented.

The big big majority of people with MS are not confined to wheelchairs. Why should you be one of the relative few who are? Please try to get some perspective and take it one day at a time. We can do our best to answer questions as they arise, and to tell you of our own experiences. You will find a lot of support here.

Do all the appropriate medical things and get the best doctors you can. Then all you can do is trust to the process. MS is not a death sentence, so don't jump to conclusions and get yourself needlessly freaked out. Your family will do better if you can be calm. Just don't panic, but instead stay a member of this group.

ess

[tamhart9]

Another question.. how can i get my results from these tests??? If I ask will they give them to me??? I have an appointment with my primary doctor on Friday and I plan on asking her this... hopefully she gives it to me

[tamhart9]

Should I see a neurologist?? Will he do test that the neuro-opthamologist cant do??? And if so who should refer me the neuro-opthomologist or my primary doctor???

[tamhart9]

Oh yeah I forgot to ask the question... Does everyone with MS end up in a wheelchair?? I am sorry to ask such a delegate question but if this is what I have which the neuro-optho thinks it is I like to know what my future holds for me... I am only 38 years old and have a family... My daughter who is 17 doesnt even want to talk about it and my son who is 19 is over protected. My sweet husband doesnt know what to think. And I myself know that I dont what to be any different then I am now except I dont want the pain anymore. I really am taking it one day at a time and I must keep the faith in God above because he is the only one who knows what my future holds. This is very scary to me.

[young at heart]

WELCOME,

FOR THE LP,I JUST HAD ONE DONE AND WITH THE RIGHT DR. AND NO GLITCHES RESTING A DAY IS USUALLY ALL YOU NEED.

SOME GET POST HEADACHES,DRINK PLENTY OF WATER THE DAY BEFORE AND CAFFINE BEVERAGES THE DAY OF THE LP.THIS SEEMS TO HELP.

THE PUNCTURE DONE RIGHT SHOULD TAKE A TOTAL OF 20-30 MINUTES THEN A FEW HOURS OF REST AND THEN THEY SEND YA HOME.

LIKE ESS SAID A LP CAN RULE OUT MUCH,SOME WITH MS HAVE CLEAR LP,OTHERS HAVE THE O-BANDS AND HIGH IgG SYNTHESIS.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US POSTED.

T-LYNN

[tamhart9]

I have yet another question... I hope I am not bothering any one but I am almost so discussed with this whole process and I dont think you can ever have enough research and information. Does the pain ever go away???

[tamhart9]

I am really confused now!!! I know this doctor said 2 days because I specifically asked if I had to take 2 days off of work and he said 3 (one for the test and 2 to just lay flat.) I asked why and he said because of headaches and something about leakage.

[essdipity]

First, a belated welcome to the forum. I'm glad you're getting an LP, which is an important test for MS, though not definitive in itself. It's a matter of ruling out everything else, and the process can be long and tiresome. Please read many posts here, and go as far back as you can. There is lots of great info.

After your LP you will lie flat for about 2 hours, not 2 days. This is to try to prevent a fierce headache. If you get one regardless, there are treatments, and everybody gets over it fairly shortly. I had no headache at all, and neither do most people. It's best to have it done under flouroscopy, so look into that as soon as you can.

Good luck.

ess

[tamhart9]

Ok thank you so much for clearing this up. I had the MRI last week and got the results today which stated that there was something there but it was not very clear and the neuro-optomalogist would not say exactly what it was, however he did say he wanted to do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to determine further and measure the spinal fluid in my spine. I have never had this done before and it scares me to death, but I honestly want to just have answers. Some of my symptoms are severe and I mean severe leg pain (seems worse at night, i am weaker on my right side then left. I have not had any double vision however my vision comes and goes. I also have been having tingling sensations in my neck and arms. I would be ok if I could deal with the leg pains but they are sometimes undealable. I was symptom free for about 2 weeks and then when the pain came back it brought new and now I am falling a lot more and just not as steady on my feet. It really hurts to walk some days and some times I cant even get up out of bed. But on the lighter side of things can anyone please tell me if it is true that you have to lay flat on your back for two days after the spinal tap???