Diagnosis limbo

[Kms54]

I have been suffering from a multitude of symptoms for the past 3 years. (pain, dizziness, facial pain, numbness and tingling, gait issues etc.)  I have many lesions on my brain ( MRI six months apart one with one without contract)but none on my spine.  My neurologist (MS specialist) says I have classics symptoms of MS that would indicate that I have spinal damage ,however, I have not spinal lesions.  I also have some previous damage from inflammation on the optic nerve.  He wants to be certain (if that is possible) so is ordering a LP.  My question is - I the LP is negative can it still be MS? (we have done testing for all other possibilities Lyme, RA, GI, etc.) This has been a very long 3 years.  

[Kms54]

Well the saga continues, I now have an evoked potential test booked for the end of June...a million years away it seems! Still no word on the LP. This is an incredibly long  process so just keeping the faith that it will all be worthwhile and I can start treatment...thanks so much for all your feedback I don't feel alone for the first time.

[Guitar_grrrl]

I was diagnosed with multiple brain lesions (none enhanced), a negative LP, and clear C-spine and T-spine MRIs.  The neurologic exam did reveal I have spinal cord lesions, they're just invisible on MRI.  My neuro exam is pretty markedly abnormal.

Check out the other Health Pages, too.  There's all kinds of info there.
Cheers!

[kwarendorf]

Hi - Life in Limboland su*ks!

You mentioned that you have dizziness, facial pain, numbness and tingling. I'm not a doc, but it seems unlikely that these would require spine lesions rather than brain lesions.

Ast to negative o-band and IgG Synthesis results form and LP, yes you can absolutely be diagnosed with MS and have a negative LP. Here is the Health Page on this topic.

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/7687/Multiple-Sclerosis/Can-you-Diagnose-MS-with-an-LP-that-is-Negative-for-O-bands?hp_id=142

Kyle

[Evalucia]

I am still in limbo as well, my LP was negative but my neuro says that a negative LP does not rule out MS.  I do have the brain lesions and the symptoms, but every other test they have done have been negative.  Hang in there.  Praying that you get answers soon.

[Pantx]

With the inflammation of your optic nerves I would take that seriously and if the doctor recommends an LP then go for it. The LP can look for cells of various kind. I'm so sorry to hear it has been a long three years it. It unfortunately sometimes takes on average 3-7 years for a patient with any kind of autoimmune condition and MS to get diagnosed. You don't have to have lesions on your spine to have MS but there are sometimes small lesions that may not get picked up by the MRI. You can have vasculitis which sometimes has similar symptoms of MS> there is a blood test they can run that measures the amount of inflammation in your body called ESR and CRP.  Do to the many lesions on your brain though it sounds like you're in the right specialist. I know you are anxious and probably cannot wait to get the LP done and get the results back.