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Old 08-19-2009, 04:22 PM
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Riverwild Riverwild is offline
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Join Date: May 2007
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Riverwild Riverwild is offline
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Riverwild's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Heah!
Posts: 2,921
15 yr Member
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An LP is normally the next step, but usually follows positive test results from the MRI. What they are looking for in an LP is oligoclonal bands, which indicate myelin breakdown.

You need to know that there are folks here who have similar symptoms to what you are having and still haven't been diagnosed because they don't have enough evidence to be positively diagnosed and doctors hate to label someone with MS until they are sure.

It's commonly called "Limbo" here. I don't have any experience with "Limbo" since I was diagnosed after one incidence of optic neuritis, but there are folks here who can help.

1.5 tesla MRI is not the best, but it is what most of the hospitals have since MRI machines are so expensive. Having an MRI w/o contrast is unusual when they are checking for MS since it's the inflammatory process and lesions that are active that show up with contrast. T-1 weighted, TSE T-2 weighted, etc. are all terms used to describe the images they are taking.

Since you have had incidences of vision problems, I would say wait for the VEP results and go from there.

Even when the tests all come back negative, you know something is going on. It may be that nothing is showing on the tests yet, but it's happening subclinically. Have you done any steroids? A round of steroids may help to relieve the symptoms, even without a diagnosis. Talk to your MD about it.

Let us know what comes of all this! We are here for the duration and we care.
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I know the sound the river makes, by dawn, by night, by day. But can it stay me through tomorrows that find me far away?


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I have this mental picture in my mind of you all, shaking bones and bells and charms, muttering prayers and voodoo curses, dancing around in a circle of salt, with leetle glasses and tiny bottles of cheer in the middle...myyyyyy friends!

diagnosed 09/03/2004
scheduled to start Tysabri 03/05
Tysabri withdrawn from market 02/28/05
Copaxone 05/05-12/06
Tysabri returned to market 06/05/06
Found a new neuro 04/07
Tysabri 05/25/07-present
Medical Marijuana legally 12/03/09
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Negative for JC virus antibodies!
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I'm doing alright and making good grades,
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!
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"Thanks for this!" says:
Dejibo (08-20-2009)