So, I've been dx for exactly 7.5 weeks...out of the blue.

Of course, I've been reading and reading all that I can on MS, etc. I'm always stumped and feel sad when I hear of people stuck in 'limboland' and undiagnosed and waiting. Of course, I went to doctor thinking I had a pinched nerve. Two hours later he called to say I had MS! But I digress.

So, we all talk about our lesions (or lack thereof) on the MRIs...

I've never heard anyone report about finding of DAWSONS FINGERS showing up on their MRI. My MRI had a VERY clear finding of this - and I think when I read the MRI report (3 days after I was dx - and after I had second opinion) - I read up on this dawsons fingers thing - and it is hallmark of MS.

So as I've sat here shaking my head for the last 7.5 weeks thinking about how unreal this is - and through two courses of IVSM now - still in shock - "this can't be happening" - I wonder and I don't get it....and I think - but don't I need all these other tests - spinal tap (and some others mentioned here)....I remind myself, um, no, my MRI was pretty dang clear. What's that all about?! I got a 100% MS dx within 2 hrs of my MRI - which was within 4 hrs of meeting the neuro - whom I went to see b/c I thought I had a pinched nerve in my face! This is my first exacerbation - going on two months now - wish it would end

Sometimes I think about calling my neuro and saying, "you know, what if you're wrong? Don't you need to test me and put me thru the ringer?!" - not that I want the pain of a spinal tap - I hear it's awful.....but what if it came back negative?! LOL - doubtful - but I'm hearing stranger things, right? I don't think this is denial on my part - though, I could use a dose of denial right now. Sigh.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this found on their MRI - and if so, did it clinch their dx?

~Keri

Hello on my initial MRI 11 years ago that's what showed up Dawson's Finger. Then my other 2 MRI's had no mention of it again. Just some lesions. I opted not to have the LP as I was already devestated why go through more pain.
Well Good Luck to You.
Sylvia

If you really want to rest your mind, I would go for the LP.

NO it is not painful. You might get a headache, but if you do as the docs say it will go away. I know that when I had my LP I did get a headache, but as soon as I lay down it went away.

You have to rest, rest, rest.

My neuro said the same to me way back when. He told me that I had leissions (sp?) in the corpus callosum, and just a few neuro illness did this and MS was one of them. I had approx 22 leissons, he did not want to any invasive procedures, he was 100% sure. BUT the MS neuro said, NOOOOOOOOOO, must do LP and what ever else to confirm. bottom line. yep I had it.

But no the LP was OK. Do not listen to any scare stories. I would guess that you would always wonder...........what if?

I should look at my first MRI and see if I can the Dawsons Fingers on mine.

Sorry for your DX, but on the good side, it was quick. That way you can get on a CRAB asap.

All the best.

I agree, if you want more testing then talk to your neuro.

What you read about Dawson's fingers is correct - it is a hallmark sign for MS

Have you gotten a second opinion? Maybe another doc will concur and you can put your mind at rest and avoid the LP

I was diagnosed immediately as well, but my neuro still requested that I do total blood work up and LP and some other stuff. His MO the first year of diagnosis is to continue to look for other potential ailments just to be sure his diagnosis is correct - every once in a while he still asks me to do some additional testing or see a specialist for something else just to be sure.

I can't imagine being in limbo for years, but sometimes I wonder if I might have handled my initial diagnosis better if I had not been blindsided. I accepted the diagnosis initially then a few weeks later I was certain I was misdiagnosed and was being treated incorrectly. You should do what ever will put your mind at ease about your diagnosis it makes moving forward easier.

IMHO, I would not ever consent to an LP if I had clear and obvious signs of MS on the MRI like Dawson's Fingers. My first neuro would not have ever put me through an LP if my MRI was conclusive.

An LP is an invasive procedure not without risks. For those who said it isn't painful, I would have to disagree. Not everyone has a painless LP. Check out Gazelle's thread entitled "So Not Happy" if you want to see several stories of LP's that weren't easy: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=38801

My own LP wasn't nearly as bad as a lot of people experienced, but it was bad enough that I will not consent to another one unless there is a darn good reason to do it.

I know that it must be really hard to be blindsided with this dx, but rest assured that, in time, you will adjust to it and things will level off.

Definitely get the LP...it's not that bad. I had a bad experience in that the dr doing it had to have 2 goes at it before she got it in (the first time was tried without an anesthetic) but even with all of that it was fine. I didn't get a headache, my back was a bit sore for a few days, but if you want to be sure it is worth doing. Good luck!

Hi Keri

I too was tested 5 years ago. I was having numbness in the left side of my face, neck and body pain, horrific vision and so on. I had MRI's done with and with out contrast dye of the C spine, T spine and Brain. They found white oval Dawson Fingers lesions on the front part of the brain. The doctors have not positively diagnosed me with MS. Five years have gone by and now I feel the weakness in my arms, legs are sluggish and torso is very stiff and achy. I will be having new MRI's performed this upcoming week. Blood works came back negative for Lyme and Lupus.
As I continue to do my own research. I am finding more issues associated with Dawson Finger lesions. My biggest argument is...If its not MS, then how about finding out what it really is.

I am not up for the spine puncture......My doc said its not necessary. He also diagnosed me with Fybromyalgia. Another falsely diagnosed condition.

I think LIMBO is getting over populated.

Good Luck!
Terry

Keri, My 3rd MRI showed Dawson fingers. Still waiting on 2nd opinion so no diagnosis yet. I had LP last year, which was negative.
I thought it was a little worse than my myelogram and several epidurials in my C5. But still worth it, if it helps dx. I went through it because it would of confirmed had it been positive.
Still was limbo.

whoa...I thought I was hallucinating until I looked at the date on the OP...