If your motor function is still pretty good, you definitely aren't in an advanced stage of MS. While the disease can progress more quickly in some cases, you don't sound like one of those cases--if it is even MS.
The neurologist wants to see if you have any lesions on your spine just so he has an idea of the extent of the disease, but if you're still fully functioning, you're definitely not dying. Just keep up with your neurologist appointments and they will discuss what it looks like you have and the treatment options. I know people who have MS and they're doing just fine, years after being diagnosed. Take it one day at a time and remember we all have something... =)
Hi Matt,
I'm Shell from over at the MS forum here on Medhelp. I happened upon your post from he other day and hope you don't mind me popping in. From what you describe with testing it does sound to me that the c-spine was ordered based on what they see in the brain MRI and from what you describe happening with the numbness and what was found by way of exam.
To put your mind at ease, if anything seen so far w/in your brain were fatal, they would have swept you away to the emergency. The radiologist describes consistency with demyelination for the most part. So, your neuro is definitely doing you right by ordering the additional testing and imaging of your spine.
For what it's worth, my largest lesion is 11mm x 7mm, x 4 or something and I'm still here! Even with one that's now a black hole.
So, welcome, and hope you enjoy your time here amongst others and please accept this as an invitation to join us over on the MS forum to learn more about MS if you feel comfortable to do so.
take care,
-Shell