New Lesion on MRI Timeframe....

[Sarahsmom46]

Got one more question that came out of neuro appointment for you guys tonnight.

IF new brain lesions are not found at the 3-month follow-up of MRIs, is that a negative result for MS?  

My neuro said that because no new enhancing lesions were found on my brain MRI at 3 moths then it couldn't be MS because if I had MS then there WOULD be new lesions in this timeframe.  What can you all share about this?  Is this true?  

One more thing...When  I asked if I needed any further future follow-up MRIs or other testing, he said that because the 3-month MRI didn't show anything that I did not need further MRIs.  Again, True or False?  

Thanks again and I promise no more questions tonight.  I am still trying to catch up on what is going on with every one else who are also posting.  Take care and know I appreciate you guys so much.

Julie

[wonko]

Hi Julie,

I'm late to this post, but wanted to chime in and empathize.  My 1st (and yes, most evil) neuro gave me similar, wrong information.  

Upon my symptoms returning and progressing after a near 1month break from my 1st attack, he told me that I did not need a repeat MRI (I'd only had one, and it did have lesions) AND that that I NEVER WOULD because he had already ruled out MS.  He also told me not to follow up with him at all, and that my symptoms were from stress.

You are not alone.

Like you, I was glad I new better than the B.S. he was trying to serve up and pass off as treatment.

It boils my blood to read doctors giving out misinformation like this.

I'm sorry you are going through these troubles.
Move on from this quack, don't look back.  He either has misinformation, no respect for you, or some unsavory combination of the two.

Ok, getting off my soap box and taking off my boxing gloves...for now.

[Sarahsmom46]

Thank you all for your very informative and supportive responses.  As I mentioned to Quix I sat there thinking that he was wrong about no need for future follow up but of course didn't say anything to him.  You guys are great, again thanks.  

Julie

[Deb61]

Quack!  Quack!  Quack!  Duck may make a better choice than weenies at the roast!

You've had lesions before, so monitoring for lesions in the future should be important.  I get new MRIs every six months.  MS is soooo unpredictable.  Plus, I wouldn't trust this neuro's report of your MRI.  My neuro reads my MRI with me present and he clearly knows what to look for and what he's doing.  I wouldn't trust this guy farther than I could throw him!  I'd take your MRI reports (preferrably on CD/DVD) to your new neuro.  

Sorry about your horrible day.  

Deb

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

I think annual follow-up would be reasonable for at least a few years (and then if nothing changes after that period maybe less frequently), sooner if symptoms change.

Sally

[Fluffysmom]

My first two neuros suggested yearly follow-up MRIs.  Neither of them thought I have MS.  I had a weird neurological event and after a negative EEG, I talked my PCP into sending me for a second brain MRI, 4 months after the first.  There were no notable changes, but then I have so many small lesions in my brain, they really don't have an accurate count.  There weren't any in new areas, at least.

I'm seeing an MS specialist now, who also thinks that I have small vessel ischemic disease, with MS listed as a differential diagnosis.  She suggested a follow-up MRI in a year, unless I had something big happen.  She doesn't consider my neurological symptoms as "hard evidence".  She sent me for a brain and neck MRI to check my large vessels, which are perfectly normally healthy.

You don't need all that information; it just seems to pop out.  

I've learned to speak up and ask questions.  I asked so many respectful, intelligent questions that I wasn't just dismissed as she had planned; she sent me for more testing and scheduled a follow-up, though I had requested to be transferred to a regular neurologist that I new worked well with MS patients.  If that is what I have, I don't want it to be dismissed.

Best of luck,

Kathy

[Wobbly]

Hi there...I had a head MRI done in Nov 2006, showed some lesion...not enough to get a Dx...had another head MRI March 2007...the report said "no changes" ... so they said they didn't know what was wrong..can't be MS??  

had another one July2008...it shows changes...now they are referring me to a MS specialist...so it can take time...or it can happen when ever..
good luck and keep us updated

andi

[Sunnytoday]

Hmmm.... this oddly sounds like Dr. DWI? He explained in no uncertain terms to me that if any strange didn't show up on the radiologist report, than nothing ever would, and that if my brain MRI was clear then I could never, every have MS. WRONG (according to the wonderful forum family here)

At that point I got mad, and quit listening. I think that's when he decided that I wasn't the best patient he ever saw... and from that appt. it's went downhill. And my MRI was about a month appart... and on low Tesla machine... and was never personally read by him.

Ackk, don't get me on my soap box.

Seriously, like Quix said, MS is not predictable. I've read enough about it online the past few months to know that each person is unique in their own wonderful way and lesions will come to each person in their own time-frame!

~Sunnytoday~

[Sarahsmom46]

I didn't think his response to this question was correct.  You confirmed that.  What about follow-up MRIs?  Is he definitely wrong about that too?  If you had a patient with undetermined abnormalities in the brain MRI, would you tell them what he told me?

You know, I knew what he was saying didn't sound correct, but do you just sit there while a doctor says something like this and say nothing?  I thought I had enough respect for doctors not to contradict them, but now I'm starting to wonder especially when its about something that can affect your finding an answer to health problems.

Thanks bunches!!!


Julie

[Quixotic1]

No this is not true.  There is no rule or observation of MS that dictates how often new lesions might arise.  Period.  I went 2 years with no change in lesions, except the one that my old, evil Neuro said was a classic UBO.  Yes, it was a classic MS plaque.  But, I had only the one and none have ever pooped up to join it.

Your neuro is a rigid lesion counter who not only counts them, but expects them to march to some preset tune.  Sheeehs!

Quix