Have they done a HEAD MRI? with or without contrast? Have you had a lumbar puncture done? While yes, it is true that the contrast will light up NEW lesions or ones that are ACTIVE old lesions and healing lesions would have shown without contrast.

To have lesions in your head AND in your spine cements a diagnosis of MS regardless of how many lesions you have. If you count on just the head MRI most MDs wants a count of 9 to 13 to get you on the road.

Yes, we can have spinal issues and loads of other issues with or without MS on top of it. I have a brain tumor, and I have a fracture of L4 and L5 that has healed well without bulges. I have the MS hug with is supposed to come from a spinal lesion, but thus far, none have shown on my spinal MRI.

That leads me to strength of the machine itself. Most open MRIs are a strength of 1. Most closed MRIs are 1.5 to 2 in strength and some centers now have 3 and even 5 is coming. The higher the number the more powerful the machine, and the more likely it is to pick up lesions and all kinds of other wonderful stuff that may scare you to pieces. So, what may not appear on a 1 may light up like a Christmas tree on a 3. Ask your center if they have a 3 available for your next scan. If not, then at least you will be comparing apples to apples when they read it.

I know you want a label, and for someone to finally end this nightmare and let you know that you are not crazy, drug seeking, whining or just a baby, but for most of us getting a diagnosis is a long term process. Hang in there.

I was in a severe car accident when I was 6 years old and whip lashed my neck so bad its a wonder it didn't break. I have a lot of damage from that in my neck but I still have M.S.
It took me about 12 years to get a diagnosis and in the meantime I think my immune system was going crazy causing me all kinds of bizzare symptoms that didn't look like M.S. at all! I felt like I was "nuts" and wanted to hold up a big sign that said " SEE, I TOLD YOU I HAD SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME!"
Hang in there and I hope you get some answers and help soon.........

@candace - I know this must be difficult. I understand that a diagnosis may answer for your sx's but IMNHO, knowing is just a part of what is happening.

I did not have any contrasting with my first two MRI's. The first MRI was focused on an area to see if I had any nerve issues with my increased numb legs/feet.

The radiologist thought he saw something so an MRI of another part of my spine was ordered. I had/have multiple lesions visible.

Tentative MS dx was given. THEN I went into the hospital for all the stuff like a lumbar puncture and steroids, etc.

Try not to stress too much. The locations of lesions do not stop the sx's or change much in the way you physically feel right now.

You do not want the doctors to rush to judgement.

Doctors do not have much in the way of solutions to what is happening.

Sticky notes are a good way of trying to solve your memory issues.