Hi Tonya,

Glad to hear the steroids helped you feel better.

As far as the LP, statistically approximately 90% of us with MS have O-bands . . . but that stat may be somewhat misleading.

We did an informal survey on another forum about 5 yrs ago, and approximately 50% of the people who were dx with MS, either did not have 0-bands, or had never even had a LP. Since a LP is often not necessary for the dx, many (like myself) opt not to have one for confirmation purposes.

Secondly, perhaps if the LP comes back negative, many specialists might refuse to dx definitive MS, at least until test results change. If this is true, it's no wonder that 90% do have O-bands by the time they are dx (they probably have lots of lesions by that point too! )

As far as whether steroids (or any meds) might affect test results, O-bands are found in several other diseases of the central nervous system, such as:

http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/resu...ClassSort=True

In other neurological diseases, it is my understanding that the bands usually disappear from the spinal fluid as a person recovers. However, with MS, the bands are permanent, and do not fully recover with the use of any drugs, or over time. I think MBP (another "marker" for MS) might reduce in MS, once the inflammatory process dies down . . . but MBP isn't a dx criteria anyway (just "helpful" info).

An LP can help them rule in or out other disease though, so that's a consideration.

Personally, I'm fairly certain I could never be convinced to have another LP (the first attempt was botched) . . . but that's just me. Many, many people have had very little problem when undergoing one.

Cherie