Hi Tara,

I'm sorry you have been having these problems. It sounds to me like you need to ask the neuro for a MRI of your spine. I'm almost certain (and people here can correct me if I'm wrong) that you could have no lesions on your brain but have them on your spine and be having all the symptoms you are suffering with. So get the full deal. I only had brain first and then a few weeks later had the brain and spine. Just know it takes a long while in the MRI machine!

As far as the SED rate and ANA, those likely won't tell you much without having them in conjunction with more specific tests. When I got diagnosed I saw a rheumatologist because I was having fevers -- that confused the neuros a bit but they still thought it was MS early on. I had a moderately elevated SED rate and slightly elevated ANA and slightly elevated tests for something called Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

Anyhow, the rheumatologist called a nationally know MS specialist he knew because he wanted advice about the meaning of these tests. The famous neurologist told him it was not uncommon to see MS patients with slightly out of normal range blood tests, especially in a flare. So basically he said they weren't relevant enough and I had MS. I think SED rate only checks inflammation in the body.

Anyhow, good luck and keep us posted.