mri spine

[tammy197238]

Just wondering if you are diagnosed with MS if they do a MRI of spine.  I have met my deductible and out of pocket and if its something the Dr.'s usually does I would like to have it before January.  They did brain mri and lumbar pucture and diagnosed me through those.

[jen673]

Hi.  I was diagnosed about 3 months ago too.  The only things I really notice much is fatigue, memory issues and sometimes tingling/numbness.  I had an MRI of spine (showing 3 lesions) first because I had L'hermittes which has now subsided and a month later I had MRI of brain which showed 15-30 lesions. My doctor never ordered any other tests and said I met the time and space criteria.  I agree with the others about requesting a MRI because you've met your deductible and also to have to compare and know whether or not there are more lesions.

I just asked the same question as you because it's so hard to believe such a diagnosis if you aren't feeling bad.  Even with all my lesions, you'd think I was a mess and I'm not.  It just goes to show that every one is different with this disease!  I believe I've been in denial about this and looking for an out.  Maybe your mind is doing the same to you?   Sounds like you have a good doctor and is very thorough.  I guess sometimes we just have to take that leap and trust them.  That's my perspective and how I get myself through this.  

Hope this helps,
Jeny

[jensequitur]

Doctors always want to be absolutely, positively sure.  

From what you've said, all of your tests and symptoms indicate MS.  Not everybody has crushing fatigue or leg issues.  I've heard MS compared to snowflakes - everybody's disease manifests in a different way.

You say you have fatigue and memory issues.  I would continue to take the Avonex, as it will help prevent disease progression.  I don't want to see you not take the DMD because you think you don't have MS, only to find that you do have it, and that your disease has progressed further than it would without the drug.

[tammy197238]

Yes, I was diagnosed 3 months ago.  I have not had any problems with walking.  I had head tremors, nystagmus, speech issues, hand tremors.  Its funny I come here and read posts often and alot of you are having so many symptoms and ongoing ones at that and cant get a diagnosis.  I had one attack, an mri of the brain with hyperintensities(which when neurologist looked at just the mri he seemed iffy), and lumbar puncture with 5? obands and diagnosed with it within 2 wks and started on solumedrol, following prednisone, and then avonex.  I have read that you have to have 2 attacks within a certain time frame to meet mcdonalds criteria.   All of my symptoms are gone.  The only thing I can say that bothers me right now is fatigue, and memory issues...but I have a full time job and 4 children...who wouldn't be tired and forget things?   I just wish there were someway to know for sure this is what I have because I really doubt my diagnosis...there are so many of you that have so much more going on than me.  And to top it off my neuro mailed me some labs to get done and I called the nurse to see what it was for and she told me it was to test for Miller-Fishers Syndrome??  I asked her if he was still keeping my diagnosis as MS and was he doubting the diagnosis.  She said "Oh no..your diagnosis is MS and all your test support the diagnosis..but he would just like for you to have this done."  Well then why should I spend 20% of whatever the test costs to have this stupid test?  Why am I on avonex if he thinks it could be some other sydrome...why... when I am trying to adjust to a diagnosis does he send something else that makes me have the hope that maybe he is wrong?  

[anon07072023]

I agree, if you have symptoms that would lead them or you to think you have spinal lesions, then you should get a t-spine MRI.  After they did a brain & c-spine MRI on me, they decided to do a t-spine too, because of my symptoms. And they found lesions in my spine.
However, they are hard to see on an MRI.

-Kelly

[hbananas]

I'm not real sure from your post whether or not you have already been diagnosed with MS, sorry for that.  If you have, having spinal MRIs will give the doctor a baseline snapshot of your condition to use to follow disease progression, or hopefully the lack thereof.

If you have not, the presence of lesions in your spine added to ones that may or may not have been found in your brain, would give evidence of dissemination in space.

I have spinal lesions and have had some very small brain lesions, so I have dissemination in space, but not in time--doc's waiting for new lesions or for a new clinical attack.  So far I have transverse myelitis.

[Sumanadevii]

It is important that they do one!!!!  If you would have lesions on your brain stem, they need to be aware of it.  A lesion in that area can cause all kinds of living hells.  It will interfer with your breathing, heart rate...Things that they need to put a complete picture together.

I would insist...Of course, ever so politely as is my nature....lol

[Starryeyes2]

I had spinal MRI's done initially when I was first having symptoms. They weren't very good images. My MS Specialist does MRI's every year to compare but I requested that he do a MRI of the spine because I have trouble walking. In my case I asked that he do them of my spine.

Kristi

[jensequitur]

They'll do an MRI of the spine if you have spinal symptoms - leg weakness, spasticity, etc.