My comment about not needing a MRI for them to figure this out (once dx) was really meant for others (without dx) who may misunderstand that they could (possibly) draw conclusions based on symptoms alone. Once we are dx (which you are), then they often make assumptions about what's going on with us MS-wise, without doing MRI's that prove it.

I had given some information on an earlier thread about the hug:


L'hirmettes is another sign of spinal lesions. Some of the other symptoms we get can come from either brain or spinal lesions . . . but I won't go into each of them.

I am a bit surprised they only did a T spine MRI, LA. L'hirmettes is a C-spine problem, and (I think) the hug is too. Why didn't they do the C-spine at the same time?

Also . . . bear in mind that spinal lesions can be sneaky, with or without contrast. The contrast is just to help spot active inflammation . . . but I don't think using it makes a difference with regard to actually spotting damage easier (I might be wrong, but I don't think so). However, spinal lesions can be very small, and unnoticable on a MRI, but still cause problems.

I might ask for another MRI, but only if he will request the C-spine too. At the end of the day . . . it probably doesn't matter one way or another though.

Cherie

Well, if you're not having the MRI done at a hospital, they might have only so many techs around that could keep trying to do the IV.

My MRI's were all done at imaging centers. My first one was done at a larger center, but they still had only one machine, but they seemed to have a lot of extra techs around. They didnt have a problem with the IV there.

The other one was done at a smaller imaging center, they had two techs. One was new, and the other guy had been there forever. He had the best luck with my failed IV. He was able to get a little contrast in, just before the vein collapsed or quit working, whatever you call it when it cant get the contrast in. He let the new person attempt the IV in my other arm, and the back of my hand, he tried it too in the back of my other hand. They just couldnt get the contrast in there.

I didnt blame the techs for not being able to get the contrast in. (it was the nurse from the day before's fault, she ripped my veins apart in my elbows taking blood. Most painful blood draws I've ever had!) I think there are probably times when they just cant get the contrast in. I had to go back a week later for another MRI to confirm the little blips they saw on the first one as being lesions.

By then the ripped up veins in my elbows were healed and they had no problems with getting the contrast in. That pretty much confirmed to me to not have an MRI done the day of or day after having blood drawn.

Erin, do you have copies of your spinal MRI results?

I'm curious if either (or both) of them say the size and exact location of the lesions because I find it curious that they might not have been able to identify them as MS lesions (just "blips") the first time.

I had mentioned that I didn't have contrast, yet they picked up on my spinal lesions and were able to measure them. I wonder why there would be a difference between your situation and mine, unless mine are just very large and/or yours very small?

Cherie