plz help...this doesnt make any sense

[Needhelp16]

I had a recent MRI on my brain and c spine.  The last one I had was in January.  After comparing them side by side, I noticed the one in January on my brain showed 1 lesion.

My most recent one shows 3.  My neuro never called to discuss these last MRI's.  I had to call her office, and her nurse said there wasn't anything new or active so I'm fine...

How is that fine? From 1 to 3 lesions?!  Isn't 2 more something new and should be looked at?

I'm sitting here extremely angry and Idk if I need to do or say something.  What do you guys think?

Laura

[Ricobord]

I don't blame you at all! Two new lesions between MRIs is significant to me, too!  It means you have an active process going on.  I think you are absolutely right to find a new doc, an MS specialist. It two and a half months for me to get in to see an MS specialist and it was worth it. She was very knowledgeable about MS and I am glad I went to her. I have seen many complaints about neuros here and in other places and one of the top complaints seems to be when they diminish or dismiss signs or symptoms as if they didn't matter.

Sometimes I wish I could invent an Empathy Device, that allowed a person to feel the same sensations and pain that another person was feeling, and with the same intensity.  It would not only be remarkably useful in many applications (medicine, sports, expecting parents, et.al.), it would be a gold mine!

[sandythegeek2]

I'm sorry Laura. Don't give up on getting some answers.

Hugs
Sandy

[Needhelp16]

Yes he compared but in my opinion missed stuff...**sighs**

Laura

[sandythegeek2]

For the experienced ones here, If you get the MRI's done at the same place, don't they normally compare the two and report any changes on the report as well?  

[Needhelp16]

I agree with you both, and no, these were 2 different radiologists.  And my current neuro knows nothing about the ms specialist.

I just like to be on top of things.  It makes it extremely difficult to with the lack of care.

Thanks for the support though!
Laura

[JaneK1975]

Excellent point from Ren. Even the black and white notes in our MRI reports don't tell the complete story.

[JaneK1975]

Yeah, the waiting is soooo difficult. Now that I'm on the other side of the diagnosis, I honestly think the waiting during the diagnostic process was the hardest part. It's so freaking scary and it's hard to navigate through the system and make sure your case doesn't slip through some crack.

If you're not already, use the time until your appointment to prepare by writing up a list of questions to ask during the appointment and to create a system to track your symptoms (a diary or spreadsheet of some sort). Also, make sure you have your MRI's on disc to give to the MS doc. Does your current neuro know about the specialist appointment? Maybe he has decided that he is just going to let you wait to discuss your MRI's with the specialist and that's why the nurse told you that? Just a guess...

I'll be wishing you luck at the September appointment.  

[rendean]

Laura,
Another thing to consider is , were the two MRIs read by the same radiologists? Often 2 different radiologists see/report different findings.
Some report only lesions of a certain size, others count them all.

Other than what I wrote, I agree completely with Jane about getting better care.  I know September seems light years away, perhaps the MS specialist can be that 2nd opinion.

Good luck and know that we feel your frustration. A lot of us have been in your situation and it stinks.

To better doctors and better days,
Ren

[Needhelp16]

Thanks Jane!  I did not view my discs.  I'm simply comparing the 2 radiologists reports.  It's in black and white.  The first one says one, and the recent one says 3.

I can't stand my neuro.  I made an appt with a MS specialist, but that's not until September.  I am hugely impatient.  That's just how I am.  I just want answers!   :(

[JaneK1975]

I think if you are not satisfied with the answers (or lack thereof) that you have received, you should continue to search. Personally, I don't think it's acceptable for doctors to run tests to try to determine the case of symptoms, then choose not to have an appointment with the patient to discuss the results - even if the results are "normal". On the other hand, I would caution against reading your own MRI's. If you're not trained to do so, you probably cannot identify lesions reliably.

I don't remember your background with this doc, so I'm not sure if you think it would be best to try to make an appointment with this neuro and talk more about your symptoms and how to move forward to determine their cause, or if maybe requesting a 2nd opinion with a different neuro would be better. Either way, I think if you still have unanswered questions, you deserve more complete care.

Best wishes,
Jane