TO THOSE WITH DX OF MS

[Melissa072]

Hi guys,
I would like to know if anyone with a dx of ms on this site had clear mri's  and negative L.P. initially?
Is it possible to have clear mri's of brain and whole spine and negative L.P. and still have ms?
I would appreciate your opinions as I'm a bit confused as to something my neuro told me.
Thanks again.........................

[michael1028]

I have had clear MRI's and the only LP concerns were "cord irritation and high pressure 36 ???" I was refered to an expert after all this. he calls my condition transverse myelitis. My regular doc and a previous neuro both feel I have MS just not presented.
m

[oliviasmom03]

Hi I just read your first post , I too have had several MRIs with gadilinum and they have been neg ,my spinal was also negative but two neuro think MS will show itself sooner or later it started with bad headaches, a pain in my eye witch led to a nystagmus , my phyiscal exam I was told showed a positive Babinski sign and hyperflexia, I'm not in alot of pain and my symptoms are here and there not constant, alot of tingling parathesia and tightbandfeelings on my legs and arms , and i have alot of problems communicating and in conversations , I lose concentration and have trouble focusing at work and always fatiqe I hope neither of us have MS but please let me know how you are andwhat you found out, Good Luck

[Melissa072]

But wouldn't normal mri's and neg lp make ms more unlikely?????????????
I do have my reports, the neuro read them and looked at the film, I have had several people look at them. I've now had 3 mri's done of brain and whole spine.
I am still waiting for the neuro to call, have rung his office again today, to see what now, he give me steroids due to the hashimotos, symptons are starting subside, although feet underneath still have the numbish feel. This whole process is so damm frustrating, but thanks everyone who posted, it's much appreciated.

[Amyloo]

Question for you:  When you say "clear" mri have you seen your own report?  Or is this just what your doctor has told you?  Sometimes they say "normal" and then you see your report and it is anything but.  If you don't already have a copy of your written MRI report get it if you can.  Amy

[HARRYBEADS]

Hello doc

  My neuro said it's dx by exclusion of everything else if lesions are not found on the MRI or bands in the spinal fluid.

Harry

[doublevision1]

My first MRI, of brain and spinal cord, was done in Aug 2006 and was normal.  It was done about two months after my first symptom (Lhermitte's).  It was done without contrast.  Knowing what I know now, I don't understand why contrast was not done at the time, given MS was being investigated.  No LP done initially.  

In June 2007, evoked potentials were done, results normal.  The neurologist I saw at that time could not explain the Lhermitte's but did not believe it was MS.

In Sept 2007, I had a full-blown attack.  MRI done at that time (w/ and w/o contrast) showed 2 lesions (brainstem and c-spine).  LP done in Oct 2007 revealed IgG index was "at the upper limit of normal with an increased IgG synthesis rate of 8.5; no oligoclonal banding was noted."  Was treated with Solu-Medrol.  In Nov 2007, MS dx was made 'official' by a MS Specialist.  Most symptoms from that time have subsided, except for fatigue and double vision, and some slight numbness/burning sensations.

I do hope that whatever is going on with your health, you will find out soon.  

db1

[MCBCON]

i it would make you feel better to have lesions you can have a couple of mine.

[Rena705]

I would imagine that you have been under the care of an MS Specialist since you have had the MRI and the LP?  If you haven't that is the first thing you need to do!

However, if these results were garnered from an MS Specialist, you need to ensure that this doctor is willing to see you every 3 to 6 months faithfully and test for any further symptoms you may have in the future.  

If there was any indication that the specialist was sure that it was MS in the beginning, you HAVE to be followed up on!  If this specialist is not interested in following you every 6 months for many years to come...you need to find a new specialist!

Best of Luck to you!

Lot's of Hugs,

Rena

[princess73]

I am not dx w/ ms. However, several people I know who have it think that I most likely do. However, I have seen 2 neuro's, 1 being a university ms specialist, who say that since my LP is normal, it is not ms. I do have several lesions on my brain mri, but have been told that they could be caused by other conditions. As of now, my only dx is fibro. What are your symptoms?

[young at heart]

I PRAY YOU DON'T HAVE MS,MY MRI'S SHOWED NO LESIONS BUT CORTICAL ATROPHY OF THE BRAIN.
MY LP WAS NEGATIVE ALSO.MY MRI'S HAVE SINCE CHANGED OVER TIME.
EVOKED POTENTIALS ARE BENIFICIAL WHEN MRI'S ARE INCONCLUSIVE.

MANY MRI MACHINES DON'T PICK UP ON MICRO-LESIONS.

IF YOU DON'T MIND WHAT DID YOUR NEURO SAY?

T

[Heather3418]

It is believed that if you are having Neurological symptoms suggestive of MS, you will eventually have lesions appear on MRI.  What is important in the diagnosis is not the MRI or necessarily the LP findings, what is important is your Neurological exam and it's findings and clearly defined relapses and remissions.

What also may be important is the strength of the MRI machine being used to look at your brain and spinal cord.  You also need to have an MRI with and without contrast dye.  All over the country they now have MRI's that have a power of what they call 3T, instead of the 1.5t that has been the norm.  The new 7t power is on the horizon.  The more powerful the MRI magnets, the more chance there will be to see lesions that can't be seen on the 1.5t.  It's also thought that even if you have an MRI with the more powerful 3T that there may still be lesions so small that they are not detectable.

I don't want to give you any false hopes of an MS diagnosis, if indeed you don't have MS.  Of course, it's my wish that you don't have MS at all, but if you do, I know that it's better to have a name to whatever your body is dealing with, so you can take steps to fight it.

Best of luck to you,
Heather

[gooddays]

According to my neuro, yes, you may have clear MRIs and a negative L.P and still be dxd with MS.

There are a lot of posts in this forum about clear MRIs and negative Lp.  I hope that you do not have MS, but if you do, you are in the best MS Forum in the internet.  

Talk to your neuro, sometimes when these results are cleared, the doctors may schedule you for an MRI and LP in the next 6 months.  Please follow his/her instructions.  There are plenty of good doctors around, if you have the chance, look for an MS specialist in your area.  Your local National MS Association may have some doctors that they would recommend you to.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Gooddays