possible ms

[2000hope]

Hi   I have just been told by my neurologist that my brain mri is very suggestive of Ms.I have dozens of small lesions he said were not supicious but I also had 2 larger ones which were more oval in shape and he said were located in area s of the brain that would suggest MS. I have already had 2 normal neurological exams and my only symptom was a 3 month long bout of reduced sensation from the waist down and some numbness and tingling in my lower lip and chin area which seems to come and go. I am scheduled for an Lp in a couple of weeks and  a repeat mri in 10 months. He said he cannot give me a definite diagnosis at this time but won't be able to rule out ms entirely even if my LP is normal until I show  a "stable mri" . I am confused about how the diagnosis works I am going to ask my Neurologist when I go for my LP but would appreciate any incite into this. What else would I need to get a confirmed diagnosis.  Thanks

[sllowe]

Hi there,

Welcome! Your doc sure sounds on the ball. He's covering all the bases, and knows what those lesions look like. Sounds to me, he's yet do identify MS clinically with you, i.e., the normal exam, minimal symptom 3 months ago.

Like Alex recommends - if you have a chance - peek at our Health Pages located at the top rt corner of the screen. I recommend "Diagnosing MS", the McDonald Criteria, and there is more than one page that covers that criteria and the recommendations from year to year by the MS consortium.

In a nutshell, it is a clinical dx in the end. Your doc saying still will not be able to dx it, may very well be related directly to no identifiable attacks - that's my opinion based on my knowledge of the criteria. But, it's something worth it to put on your ask list for your next visit.

After you read those  - you'll probably have lots more questions - feel free to fire away at us. I'm glad you joined us, and hope we can help you wrap your head around all this.

-Shell

[Sumanadevii]

You know, I am curious.  Did he explain what a "stable" MRI is?

[HVAC]

Hey I know you are confused and probably scared as I was. I thought what do you mean possible MS but you have to wait so long, would you wait to diagnose some one with say cancer. It made no sense.

Since then I have learned how MS is diagnosed. First all other possibilities have to be ruled out.  There are hundreds of Neurological disorders and over 30 MS mimics. There is no test which rules MS in or out. Then and this is the confusing part to translate into English from medicaleze, You basically have to have different symptoms or attacks in different parts of the body over time. This is why you are monitored over months. If you have true attacks it makes it easier to be diagnosed. My MS was subtle and harder to diagnose. Some on the forum are diagnosed the first time they go to a hospital or Doctor and other take years. Some day the diagnosing process will seem stupid. But it is what we have now.

If you go to the top right you can click on the Health pages which goes into depth.

Is your Neurologist a MS Specialist. If not you can always get a second opinion. Or you can anyway if you want one.

I have been diagnosed but only get to see my guy once a year he is so busy. Here in the States it depends on where you live to your access to Neurologists. We have a shortage in our area.

Alex