Just Curious Re: MRI

[jibjen]

Hello,

I'm jinjen from limbo land. I have been reading alot about some members who may be going through the testing for MS and I have a question. I notice many of you, if not all, have had MRI's w contrast and including spine as part of your work up.

My MRI in June 2009 showed 20 lesions in brain (MRI done w/out contrast). A repeat MRI was done in December 2009 (w/out contrast) I have had parethesia of arm and leg (left sided) which subsided, Cramping in leg, which subsided as well as fatigue and weakness.

New this summer (2010) I had a burning sensations up both legs and extreme weakness which came on during heat wave...Dec. 2009 showed no changes. MRI in 2007 suggested MS with demylination and gliosis.

Should my doc have ordered an MRI with contrast? and should he have ordered MRI of spine?

Just curious if that should be standard protocol?

All my Thanks
JibJen

[jibjen]

Hi,

Yes, I have been collecting ALL my reports from A-Z....While going through them i found another visit I had taken to the urgent care back in 2007 for numbness and tingling in hand...left one like I have experienced in June 2009...interesting..Is this coincidence???

I am making a file for my self for next neuro.

Jibs

[COBOB]

You're in the US, so you have rights to copies of all your test results, clinical records, MRIs and their interpretations.  You can be charged a fair rate for copies, but they have to give them to you.

Bob

[jibjen]

Thaks guys,

COBOB - Thanks for the link..
I have only stayed with this doc because he has been **** tests  all bloodwork has been normal, EMG was negative, I am asking him for another MRI before years end because my insurance is changing next year and I will have an added deductible..right now I am covered 100%
I have an appt. next week with neuro..will be discussing alot...

Thanks for your time
JibJen

[RedFlame]

You need a new doctor!  You have too many lesions for him/her to neglect you as they have.  You may have permanent damage becuase you weren't diagnosed.  That is alot of lesions!!!

Please see someone else!

Red

[COBOB]

By the way, the MS protocol is brain and c-spine without and with Gadolinium contrast agent

The current recommended protocol is posted here:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/2009-MS-Centers-MRI-Protocol-for-the-Diagnosis-and-Followup-of-MS/show/1194?cid=36

Bob

[COBOB]

You will see many people jump on "having to have GAD contrast."  In reality, it will only show lesions that have developed as a reult of a breakdown in the blood brain barrier (BBB) is the last 40 days prior to the study.  Your "flare" during the heat wave of 2010 probably does't count as a flare.  Exacerbations brought on by heat, exercise or fever are typically termed "Pseudo exacerbations."

With 20 lesions, I'm not sure what your Neuro is waiting for.  The radiologists comment:" MS with demylination and gliosis."  Suggests that in addition to T2 white matter lesions, the radiologist was also seeing either T1 "black holes" or a decrease in brain volume.  

If your Neurologist is not an MS Specialist I would suggest the you find one.  It your Neurologist is an MS Specialist, I'd suggest you find another one for a second opinion.

You have had two documented "attacks" and positive MRI evidence.  If I were you, I'd ask what is preventing the clinical diagnosis and why am I not on a DMD with 20 lesions?

Bob