Does she have MS or not?

[Fla305]

Relative has 3 MRIs' and all have white lesions on front part of Brain.  One Neurologist said she has MS and wanted to start treatment. A second opinion from another Neurologist said "that Dr tells everyone they have MS, your fine"....What should I believe here? My mothers Health is on the line.

[TLC_31]

It was an innocent question, why get a second opinion? It's not necessarily a bad idea, but if someone has tests, symptoms, and a doctor indicating they have a disease, why is another doctor automatically more credible?

Of course, you didn't mention if your aunt had gone through a lumbar puncture, and you didn't mention her symptom history. You still haven't mentioned what neuro #2 (or neuro #3) attributed the lesions to. Only so many things those of us on the internet, or any doctor, can do with limited information. When doctors misdiagnose, I imagine it's because they received inaccurate or incomplete information, more often that some malicious intent. By the way, you can't die from MS, and the greatest danger in starting MS treatment when you don't have MS is not the treatment itself, but the fact that you have a disease that's not being treated.

"That guy is known all throughout Florida for telling ALL Patients they have MS, WHEN THEY DON'T!!!!"

Obviously, he's not known throughout Florida, because you didn't know about him until recently. And certainly those of us elsewhere in the country aren't aware!

Sorry your aunt doesn't have MS, because we'll miss having you here in the MS forum.

[sandythegeek2]

I'm with Lulu, what did they neuro's say the lesions were from?  While you are celebrating this not being MS, I feel it is just as important to find the cause of those lesions and still get follow up on those to make sure. My neuro looked at my MRI and said it looks like MS but lets do an LP.

The LP came back normal and then the nurse called me and said, the LP is normal so it's not MS. But we want to do a follow up MRI in a year.

Then a few weeks later, I had eye pain in one eye and went to the doctor. The eye doctor sent a letter to my Neuro saying he thinks it's optic neuritis and it's probably from MS.  

I had a VER test and it was a little off but not enough to say for sure that it's a lesion on my optic nerve.  

So, my Neuro looks at my MRI again and evaluates my whole case and says my MRI really looks like MS but she's just not sure.  She said she doesn't know as much about MS as another colleague of hers.  So, she suggested I get a 2nd opinion, which is what I'm going for on Wednesday.  

So...  Follow up is still really important.  Are they doing that?  I hope so.

I do have migraines and since I began having ocular migraines as well this year, I decided to accept my Neuro's offer of taking migraine medicine.  I don't want more lesions, and if they are possibly being caused by migraines, I'm going to fight that as well.  

[Lulu54]

I'm glad you got that third opinion and your aunt is satisfied with the answrer.  I'm curious is neuro #2 or #3 told her what they thought the frontal lesions were caused by?  

Anyway, so glad all is on track and I hope she is feelng better.

[Fla305]

TLC.....Why get a second opinion at all? that's a silly question.....If she would have went with her first Neurologists recommendations she would be taking MS Medicine and she doesnt even have MS....That guy is known all throughout Florida for telling ALL Patients they have MS, WHEN THEY DON'T!!!! Not trying to give u a hard time, but in this day and age, I say always get a second,  if not third,  opinion.....

The third neurologist even asked her " what made u get a 3rd opinion....Her reply was my nephew looked it up on medhelp.org". This site rocks!!!! thanks everyone!

[Fla305]

To the poster asking where in Florida I am at.....We found the bad Neurologists already, but thank u for your concern. I'd rather stay low key....Thank you though.

[Fla305]

Thank you so much for saying get a third opinion!!! She does not have MS!!! The third Neurologist even asked her " what made u get a third opinion" she replied " My nephew looked it up online" He stated that was the best thing u could have done! This 3rd Neurologist also stated that the first Neurologist  tells EVERYONE they have MS.....That's 2 Neurologist that said the first tells everyone they have MS.....How does this guy get away with this in Florida?

He actually starts MS Treatment on people who don't have it....He must be getting huge kickbacks from the drug companies that make MS Medicine or something. Although, I did overhear a while ago his receptionist say " Dr so and so is in court today". WELL NO SH*T! He could be sued for malpractice or PTSD telling people they are dying of a disease they don't even have!!!

This is why I say always get a 2nd, now I say get a 3rd opinion. Thanks to all that said get that 3rd opinion!! Gob Bless and be safe!!

[Lulu54]

She probably would not need additional MRIs done - she can take her recent ones with her. The lab should be able to give those to her on CD to take along.  She also wants to keep a copy for her own records for future use.

Where in FL are you located? There are some good docs down there and then others we would probably recommend you avoid.
Good luck to your mom and you.

[Fla305]

A third MRI with a 3rd Neurologist may be her best option. Her first was just way to busy and flustered, her second no comment, so a 3rd opinion is probably best.

[Fla305]

I made a mistake on the first post....She has 2 of her Brain, not 3. Thanks again for all your help.

[Fla305]

Thanks...She is 54, finally got health ins.. so wanted to get her health in check..Bad Headaches is what prompted the MRIs,  if I'm not mistaken. She has a messed up back and neck as well, so a total of about 5 MRIs' including the ones of her back and neck.

Went to a different Dr because you always get a second opinion...Also, the first Dr was way to far and always completely packed!!!

[Guitar_grrrl]

A third opinion is not unheard of.  On the one hand, if she does have MS, she should be started on a disease modification drug (DMD) right away.  If she doesn't, she shouldn't be taking these meds if she doesn't need them.

TLC has good questions.  Tell us more about her.  In the mean time, have a look at our Health Pages (links on right side of page).  Tons of great inf there.

Keep in touch - let us know what's happening!

[TLC_31]

We'd need more information, and even then, keep in mind that we're not doctors.

What is symptom history? How old is your mother?
What prompted MRIs, particularly three of them? How far apart? With contrast?
Why go for second opinion at all? What does the second neuro attribute the lesions to?

If it is MS, I (and many others) encourage patients to soon begin a treatment regimen using one of about a half-dozen disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) which don't ease symptoms in the short term but do have long-term benefits for many users.

Ask questions anytime!