yes... I was having neurological symptoms, but the brain MRI was negative.

except for a bout of Optic Neuritis in 1988, all my lesions were spinal.

so, they were looking at Devic's as a possibility for me...

Devic's syndrome

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Devicssyndrome.html

Differences between Devic's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis

In well-established cases of Devic's disease, it is usually possible to accurately distinguish it from MS. However, early in the course of these two conditions, it may be difficult to definitively separate these two conditions. The distinction is important to ensure the most appropriate treatment. There are several important differences:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/devics-dis...ut-devics.html

they were calling what I had... "Possible MS" for a while, then "Probable MS"

but... after five years, brain lesions finally began to appear, and I got a definite diagnosis of MS... and Devic's was ruled out.

it's now almost 20 years since the first ON exacerbation, and I am SPMS (Secondary Progressive MS)

welcome to NeuroTalk, and I hope you find as comfortable a home as I do... this is a great place, with wonderful supportive people.