Positive MRI for MS...then Negative MRI???

[happyhawaiian1]

What if I had a positive MRI showing lesions and diagnosed with MS and have all the symptoms...then the follow up MRI's following a severe exacerbation is negative and I still have MS symptoms...and now the doctors say I don't have MS and I tell them I still have the symptoms?

[Lulu54]

We do know that remyelination can occur but when it does the repair job is never as good as the original.  I like the termite analogy - I always think of potholes in the road.  Those of us who live where there is snow and ice are familiar with how potholes get filled but they rarely hold the patch.  

Our axons are the same way - they can get a patch job, but they are very rarely as good as the original.  

I believe the "you don't have lesions anymore " comment is somewhere  in the "lies neuros tell" thread.  Every last one of us who are on DMD's and jab ourselves with those needles are doing it for the hope of slowing progression and even the possibility thaat our bodies can heal a bit.  The fact that our lesions disappear is a good thing, but doesn't mean our MS is gone.  

Finding a new neurologist is a very good idea.

-L

[Udkas]

What a great answer :-)

[jensequitur]

Phillipines, huh?  I don't know what your options are in that area, actually.  You may not be able to find another neuro.

I'm wondering the same thing - what the strength of the MRI was for the second film, compared to the first.  And as Bob says, there is remyelination.  I'm not sure how long it takes for this process - I haven't seen any of my lesions disappear.

But all that aside, if you're still having symptoms, then your doctor should at least treat you for them.  Happy, are you taking a DMD at the moment?

[daisy.girl]

Gliosis: A process leading to scars in the central nervous system that involves the production of a dense fibrous network of neuroglia (supporting cells) in areas of damage. Gliosis is a prominent feature of many diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis and stroke.

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25457

[Sarahsmom46]

Bob, what is gliosis?  

[COBOB]

Lesions not visible on MRI can cause symptoms.  The theory of "remyelination" means lesions can go away.  If you are on DMDs, you hope that the DMD prevents lesions, so it is possible for lesion load to decrease.  

Does that mean MS goes ways?  No.  Does it mean MS damage has stopped?  No.  Just because you can't see the termites, it doesn't mean they are not destroying your home.  Just because you can't see the lesions doesn't mean they are not damaging you brain.   What if T2 lesions decrease but T1 black holes increase?  What if brain volume decreases?  Part of the problem with lesion counters is that MS is more than just demyelination.  There is gliosis.  If your Neurologist is not an MS specialist, go find one.

Bob

[daisy.girl]

Hi and welcome....
I can understand your frustration, I have a few questions.
What time frame was between the two MRI's?
Were they done at the same MRI center or on a machine with the same Tesla magnet?
Were they both done according to MS protocol?
Sorry you are going through this.

[surth]

Shame i can imagine how u must feel, did u ask the drs if they say its not ms what is it then, i would want to know. But i hope for your sake it isnt MS because i have MS for almost 4 years now and it isnt nice at all What symptoms do u have?