That's true. I believe 10 to 15 percent diagnosed with MS have had negative LPs. The LP is just one more diagnostic tool to hopefully find answers to a patients symptoms.

I think I found 5%....but anyway....if you read the last link...seems they believe that higher levels of protein are cause for concern that the patient has RRMS. Which is what I 'thought' I had......

Oh for heavens sake!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now lets talk about MRI's....Where do lesions BELONG? I'll go get my test results and look over where mine is....

THANKS SNOOPY!!

Here is what my MRI says: (pared down to talk only about the lesion)

Result: "There is a single 5 mm diameter focus of T2 hyperintensity in subcortical white matter of the left frontal lobe.

Impression: There is a single small nonspecific focus of white matter signal abnormality. Although MS cannot be excluded, the size location, and morphology of the lesion are not particularly suspicious for demyelinating disease and could represent a benign idopathic white matter lesion.


In addition to this, my Optho/Neuro who ordered the MRI (Who is world renowned and spoke at the MS convetion last fall) pointed out a second lesion.

Maybe I should get a second opinion from him?

Ooops! I got the number wrong

Your welcome!

Todays final update:

Optho/Neuro's office has received my LP results and will confer with the Doctor when he gets in from surgery. (This doc is sooo cute ) They will get in touch, one way or the other about a second opinion, or give me a referral....either way...this one on the shelf until more info is available.

x another one off my list

I love it when the doctor turns out to be cute and adorable. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and darnit if the cute one's day off is tomorrow...I have to see the other doctor, which is ok, because he's not hard on the eyes either, but I want the cuter one!!! The cuter doctor is just total eye candy. I almost always feel better after seeing him.

LOL!! My DD18 saw an ER doc a few weeks ago, and her jaw dropped as he walked in (so did MINE!). She just batted her eyes at him, smiled, and told him that her ears hurt. As he used the stethoscope, I could tell her heart was going to come out of her chest. After he left, she just looked at me and said WOW!!! So glad I'm going to be a doctor so I can get me one of those!!!

Cute makes everything better!!!

Her ears are much better now

GJ, I am so sorry you're going through all of this. I really don't have any advise or suggestions. I was diagnosed without an LP and have never had one done.

My MRI was suggestive of a demyelinating disease and I had symptoms that corresponded with those of MS. All other possibilities were ruled out via blood tests, exams, referrals, etc.

I am very cautious about where I get my information from on the internet though. Some sites are not as good as others. Please, keep that in mind when researching.

As for the O bands as well as lesions, I know a simple virus can cause both but not be MS at all. Additionally, migraines can cause lesions.

There is nothing wrong with asking for a 2nd opinion. Please let us know how it goes. Take a deep breath and try to relax. (easier said than done, I know, but try).

Here's the question I'd be asking: Can you have no O bands, but high protien with ms?

Or does high protien alone (no O bands) point to something else?

Either way, I'm not too happy with your neuro not telling you that info and passing to the other docs.

BTW, my lp showed no O bands and had normal protien levels. That's why I wondered if there would need to be both. I always thought there kind of would.

Good luck. And let us know.

Did you see my second link? Seems so??????