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test results... help me please
Hello all. I am a 25 year old female who has symptoms "highly suspicious" of MS at this time. Intially, I really thought it was nothing. I was having slight double vision when I layed down on my right side, and I truely thought that my eyes were getting worse from not wearing my glases. I told my mother about, who happens to be a nurse, and she insisted that I went to the doctor. I made an appointment with my physician who conducted a battery of tests, and then sent me over to the neurologist who ordered an MRI for that evening.
Again, throughout all of this, I was more worried about the cost of it all, than the results of the test. I received the results of my MRI that evening, and my doctor called to inform me that I had 10 brain lesions. The doctor stated that they were saying that it was highly suspicious of MS. I pretty much freaked out, as did my entire family, and we started learning as much as we could. I lucked out and my doctor hooked me up with a great neurologist in the area that solely works with MS patients. She conducted more testing, went over some of my other symptoms and informed me that she was pretty sure it was MS.
I completed a spinal tap (which i was horrified of) and the results came back normal. The report stated that the fluid was clear and I had no O-bands. Additionally, she sent me for a series of three more MRI. One more of the brain, and a C-spine and T-spine. The brain results were exactly as before. However the T-spine and C-spine were negative.
I guess my question is, is it still likely that it's MS. Oh, and also my blood work showed that I tested positive for Factor V Liden and Lupus anticoagulant. Can anyone relate to this. I sure hope so, because my follow up appointment isn't until the 21st of October. I was just hoping someone could shed some light for me.
Again, throughout all of this, I was more worried about the cost of it all, than the results of the test. I received the results of my MRI that evening, and my doctor called to inform me that I had 10 brain lesions. The doctor stated that they were saying that it was highly suspicious of MS. I pretty much freaked out, as did my entire family, and we started learning as much as we could. I lucked out and my doctor hooked me up with a great neurologist in the area that solely works with MS patients. She conducted more testing, went over some of my other symptoms and informed me that she was pretty sure it was MS.
I completed a spinal tap (which i was horrified of) and the results came back normal. The report stated that the fluid was clear and I had no O-bands. Additionally, she sent me for a series of three more MRI. One more of the brain, and a C-spine and T-spine. The brain results were exactly as before. However the T-spine and C-spine were negative.
I guess my question is, is it still likely that it's MS. Oh, and also my blood work showed that I tested positive for Factor V Liden and Lupus anticoagulant. Can anyone relate to this. I sure hope so, because my follow up appointment isn't until the 21st of October. I was just hoping someone could shed some light for me.
Hi
I think everybody pretty much covered your question but I did want to add some more info on your positive blood panels. Lupus anticoagulants & Factor V Leiden raises your risk of having a blood clot.
Lupus anticoagulants are usually found in persons with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They may also be found in persons who take certain medications, including phenothiazines, phenytoin, hydralazine, quinine, amoxicillin, and birth control pills. Persons with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), infections, and certain tumors may have lupus anticoagulants. This raises your risk of having a blood clot.
Factor V Leiden thrombophilia is an inherited disorder of blood clotting. The risk of developing a clot in a blood vessel depends on whether a person inherits one or two copies of the factor V Leiden mutation. Inheriting one copy of the mutation increases by fourfold to eightfold the chance of developing a clot. People who inherit two copies of the mutation, one from each parent, may have up to 80 times the usual risk of developing this type of blood clot.
If you have any siblings, they have a chance of having Factor V Leiden as well. The risk of getting a blood clot is more if both parents carry the mutation. HRTs, oral contraceptives, smoking would be a big no no if you have Factor V Leiden.
Like they said above, these conditions can leave lesions but they leave ischemic lesions and a good neuro would know the difference between ischemic and MS lesions.
Hope this helps
I think everybody pretty much covered your question but I did want to add some more info on your positive blood panels. Lupus anticoagulants & Factor V Leiden raises your risk of having a blood clot.
Lupus anticoagulants are usually found in persons with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They may also be found in persons who take certain medications, including phenothiazines, phenytoin, hydralazine, quinine, amoxicillin, and birth control pills. Persons with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), infections, and certain tumors may have lupus anticoagulants. This raises your risk of having a blood clot.
Factor V Leiden thrombophilia is an inherited disorder of blood clotting. The risk of developing a clot in a blood vessel depends on whether a person inherits one or two copies of the factor V Leiden mutation. Inheriting one copy of the mutation increases by fourfold to eightfold the chance of developing a clot. People who inherit two copies of the mutation, one from each parent, may have up to 80 times the usual risk of developing this type of blood clot.
If you have any siblings, they have a chance of having Factor V Leiden as well. The risk of getting a blood clot is more if both parents carry the mutation. HRTs, oral contraceptives, smoking would be a big no no if you have Factor V Leiden.
Like they said above, these conditions can leave lesions but they leave ischemic lesions and a good neuro would know the difference between ischemic and MS lesions.
Hope this helps
Greetings and welcome to MedHelp. I am so sorry you have the need to visit here. Like Deb said, it sounds like you are in very good hands and your neuro is being very proactive in figuring out your diagnosis.
I understand completely why you and your family are freaked out by the prospect. There are lots of unknowns about MS. Take the time between now and the 21st to learn all you can and be prepared to ask lots of questions of your medical team. It is such a difficult disease to understand and the more we can learn about it the better we can participate in the diagnosis process.
Please come back often and feel free to rant, question and explore this site.
My best to you, Lulu
I understand completely why you and your family are freaked out by the prospect. There are lots of unknowns about MS. Take the time between now and the 21st to learn all you can and be prepared to ask lots of questions of your medical team. It is such a difficult disease to understand and the more we can learn about it the better we can participate in the diagnosis process.
Please come back often and feel free to rant, question and explore this site.
My best to you, Lulu
Hi, I would like to say "Welcome!!"
Do take time to read the "Health Pages", the link is located at the top right hand corner of the forum and the threads. these pages are full of great info about MS. I do think Deb did a good job of answering your questions, and I'm sure other's will stop by and chime in too.
Hang in there, and keep us updated. :)
~Sunnytoday~
Do take time to read the "Health Pages", the link is located at the top right hand corner of the forum and the threads. these pages are full of great info about MS. I do think Deb did a good job of answering your questions, and I'm sure other's will stop by and chime in too.
Hang in there, and keep us updated. :)
~Sunnytoday~
Welcome! I'm happy that you've found this forum. However, I feel bad that you're going through all of this.
Having no O-bands does not rule out MS. However, having O-bands is highly suggestive of MS if you have a positive MRI.
It is possible that lupus and a blood clotting disorder can cause lesions. A neuro may be able to tell the difference in the type of brain lesion you have--whether or not it's ischemic or demyelinating. This may help, with other tests, to determine what it is that you have. There are many mimics of MS--lupus being one of them. All of the mimics must be ruled out. However, having lupus or a blood-clotting disorder doesn't rule out MS.
It sounds like your neuro is running all of the right tests and that you're in good hands.
I've had problems like you, with my vision. I found that my vision rapidly deteriorated, when all of this began. What other symptoms are you having?
Again, welcome. Stick around and please keep us informed of how things went with your next appointment on the 21st.
Wishing you the best,
Deb
Having no O-bands does not rule out MS. However, having O-bands is highly suggestive of MS if you have a positive MRI.
It is possible that lupus and a blood clotting disorder can cause lesions. A neuro may be able to tell the difference in the type of brain lesion you have--whether or not it's ischemic or demyelinating. This may help, with other tests, to determine what it is that you have. There are many mimics of MS--lupus being one of them. All of the mimics must be ruled out. However, having lupus or a blood-clotting disorder doesn't rule out MS.
It sounds like your neuro is running all of the right tests and that you're in good hands.
I've had problems like you, with my vision. I found that my vision rapidly deteriorated, when all of this began. What other symptoms are you having?
Again, welcome. Stick around and please keep us informed of how things went with your next appointment on the 21st.
Wishing you the best,
Deb
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