Ms - Lesions

[KatAustin]

Back in 2002 I was refered to a neurologist, my GP did not know what to do, for a list of issues.  

Blurred vision, eye pain, Muscle weakness, Loss of muscle tone, Muscle Atrophy, Spasms, Cramps, Problems with posture, Involuntary Leg Movements, Dysfunctional Reflexes, numbness, tingling, buzzing and vibration sensations, Loss of coordination, vertigo, Dysdiadochokinesia, Urinary hesitancy and retention, Inability to achieve orgasm, Constipation, Fecal Urgency, Fecal Incontinence, Short-term memory problems, forgetfulness, slow word recall, Fatigue, Uhthoff's Symptom, Acid reflux, Impaired sense of taste and smell, Inappropriately cold body parts.  

Gp thought it could be MS, but he did not know enough about ms to make a DX.  I went through all the tests (emg, eeg, evoked pot., MRIs, spinel tap along with others).  All the test, except the MRI pointed to MS.  The MRI showed nothing.  So my question is - Is it possible to have MS without MRI without any lesions?  Could they have been to deep in the brain to show up or could the Dr miss read the MRI?

I am seeing a new neuro and wondering if I should revisit this with him.

[KatAustin]

Dr is think it could be MS, Fibro or Diabetic Neuropathy.  The only problem I have with the last one is I have only had Diabetes since 2001.  Had normal blood sugar reading up until 1992, did not see a doctor form 1993 till 2001 (had no money or ins.).  But I have had symptoms since the mid 1980's.

[sllowe]

Welcome KatAustin!

Deb's gives good info.  I want to say hi, and wish you a safe trip and a good appt. and exam.

Hope you are able to get back to us when you return.

-Shelly

[Deb61]

Best of wishes for a successful visit at the neuro's tomorrow.  Keep us posted.

Deb

[KatAustin]

Thank you.
I have not looked at the papers in so long that most is coming from my bad memory.

Not sure what tyoe if MRi it was (I remember it was a closed MRI) nd it was without contrast. In the report on the spine tap it clearly says that they did not look for oligoconal banding, they did look for something else (so don't remember the name) that most MS have, and that was postive.  

The old neuro did the readings.  I will see about getting the records, unfortunatly it won't help for tomorrows appointment.  The old Dr is in New Port Richey, FL and  I am now in Carmel IN.

[Deb61]

Welcome!  You have a long list with many symptoms that point to a neurological disease.  There are many things that can cause neurological problems that may cause these problems.  However, that doesn't mean that you don't have MS.  See the "Health Pages" in the far upper corner of this Web page and click on it.  You'll see several pages that will answer your question.  

However I'll answer your question right now.  Yes, it is possible to have a negative MRI with MS.  I've been diagnosed with MS and have had a negative MRI starting out.  My first MRI was done on an weak, open MRI machine without contrast.  My second MRI completed with a closed MRI machine with contrast and was at least a 1.5T showed the lesions.  My third MRI on a closed machine with contrast showed new lesions and growth of my old ones, and I was diagnosed.  

You indicated that other tests pointed to MS.  Was your spinal tap positive with oligoconal banding?  This is a strong indicator of MS, if it was positive.  

So the questions are:  Was your MRI on a machine that was at least 1.5T (3T is better) with and without contrast?  Did you have an MRI of your cervical and C-spine?  Sometimes MS or a disease called Devic's (MS-like disease) shows up there.  Did your doctor read the MRI or just the radiologist (or vice-versa)?  I would get a DVD copy of your MRI and reports for your records.  You may gain some insight there.  

Your GP simply isn't qualified to be reading MRIs.  The radiologist missed the lesions around my corpus collosum (sp) in my second which is a very important indicator of MS.  My neuro knew to look there and pointed this out to me after looking at the MRI.  

The answer to your last question is tricky.  The first neuro I had to look at my MS-like symptoms just looked at my MRI report and determined that I didn't have MS automatically and didn't want to do another MRI.  He ruled out MS, when I had all the symptoms that you had, and had a sister with the disease.   If you have a copy of the actual films or a DVD of the MRI, then I would say, yes, show it to him/her.  OR if your neuro is an MS specialist, I would say, yes, revisit it with him.  My neurologist told me that the first MRI I had was completely bogus and immediately ordered the second one.  He folded the report and handed it back to me.  But my neuro is competent.  I hate to say this, but there are lots of incompetent neuros out there.  My first experience, the experience of my sister (who is physically disabled), and the experience of others on this forum made my forever cynical.

Well, I'm blabbering away, again.  Best wishes with your new neuro.  When's your appointment?

Deb