I have had ms for 7 years now. I never knew what symptoms I actually had as I had an mri for an ear issue. A year ago I was told I have thoracic outlet syndrome with both nerve and artery compression. I had one surgery to relieve pressure on my left side and will have my right side done this year. My neuro. thinks I also may have a brain stem lesion starting, but said it can take awhile for them to show up on mri. I went a couple years with no active lesions and last year mri showed one active. I am on avonex. Does anyone know if you can still have symptoms with lesions that show inactive on mri. The problem I have is that thoracic outlet syndrome can have same symptoms as ms. I have been more tired, more pain, and tingling down my arms and neck. The first surgery helped some pain and real bad dizziness I was having, but still have dizziness.

I'll tell you my experience. Ive had MS for 20yrs now. Last October I had a really big flare and the mri showed no new or active lesions. Had another really big flare in December this time I could barely walk, but could not walk on my own, had to have a walker or I just fell. Even with the walker I could barely move. MRI showed no lesions on the spine. My neuro told me just because the mri didnt show a lesion or active lesion, doesnt mean its not there, just means it didnt "light up" on the mri.

Dear Brmr, Your Doc probably suspects a brainstem lesion, because of your dizziness?
And yes you can still have symptoms from old lesions. Some symptoms just stick around..

thanks for your repies. i figured you could still have symptoms without the mri showing active. i just don't know what symptoms are from ms and what are from tos. thanks again, i will just have to take it easy and see what future days ahead brings.

There are "silent" lesions that do damage, but dont show up on the machine. Now, whether that is that the machine isnt strong enough to see them yet, or technology hasnt advanced far enough to really get a good look, who knows. I am dealing with some silent damage right now.

I hate this disease!

yes it was...i have one every other year. i don't get sedated. when i am having mri, i imagine myself somewhere and really focus on a peaceful setting. my sister hates them, and i told her to try what i do, she recently had one and stated it really helped her.

I have had a brainstem lesion since 1997. It isn't active right now. I have been on Avonex since 97.

when i look down, either when standing or sitting, I get a buzz down my back especially in lower back. I know that I have herniated discs in my lower back, but can this be from a possible lesion. I do have a bulging disc in my neck, but the doctors were not concerned about it.

I believe that's L'Hermittes. I get a strange sensation in my left leg whenever I look down. If I happen to be standing or walking it can almost trip me up because my leg turns to jello. I used to get the buzzing feeling in my neck and spine but it's changed to the left leg sensation only now. I do believe it's from a well-positioned lesion.

Yes that sounds like L'Hermittes and is very common with MS. It feels like an electrical jolt going down the back of your neck and spine.

We're here with you brmr19..