I had 4 o-bands.

I had none at diagnosis MRI was conclusive as well as EMG's but now I look like a big bowl of spaghetti o's.

I had O bands at dx and an elevated IgG index. 5 years later, no O bands on retest and the spinal fluid showed evidence of an inflammatory process, which two different neuros said was strongly suggestive of MS in the absence of any other cause (which there is none).

This is kinda' funny, the way they have written this explanation . . . it (almost) implies that exacerbations influence whether O-bands will be found at any point in time.

I guess what they mean is that if a person (without a current dx) is currently in an "attack", that might be a good time to test them. Otherwise, it is my understanding that once we have O-bands, we always have them. That is not necessarily true for other diseases, because those people "heal" from the disease (and O-bands). . . but apparently we don't.


Apparently one band is called a Monoclonol band (HA! ), vs our Oligoclonal bands. It seems we need two to assist with the dx:

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18296300

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligoclonal_bands

Cherie

Cherie, when I was going through the diagnostic process I was having a severe exacerbation although I didn't know it at the time.

My neuro said we had a better chance of the LP showing something than had I not been in an exacerbation. In my case he was correct. The LP was the only positive test I had. Brain MRI was clear as was the Mylegram, VEP, bloodwork and others I can't remember.

I was dx'd based on the positive LP, neuro exam and symptoms. One year later I had my second severe exacerbation so that resolved any doubt anyone may have had, including myself.

I saw a graphic picture showing 1 line (blood) next to 1 line (spinal fluid).

If the bands on the line of the spinal fluid were the # of obands, I'm not kidding when I say there were 12 + showing on that page!

I'll get my neuro to photocopy it... it's kinda neat looking actually! Then I can maybe scan and link it here

Well, that kinda' speaks to what CayoKay posted, but it doesn't change the fact that you apparently should STILL have just as many (if not more) O-bands now as you did during that attack.

If the information I have is correct, the best time to do a LP diagnostic test is when the person has a neurological attack. That doesn't necessarily mean you didn't have those same O-bands previously, there is just more chance that more (or the first positive result for them) might "pop up" during this neurological event. Does that make sense?

O-bands in MS are "permanent" once they are there though . . . at least that's my understanding.

Cherie

See, I'm just over the change in my banding situation. Maybe the first test WAS wrong and I didn't really have bands. My neuro (Dr. Flip Flop aka Dr. Wishy Washy) never said how many, just that there were "bands." And the test results that I have don't indicate how many. And in February this year with the latest LP, I don't have them. Just makes you .

But I'm not going to stress over it. Not worth it!

I was DXed in the olden days by the results of a Myleogram and a process of elimination..

I remember my Neuro saying, protien in the fluid. I don't remember the mention of O-bands. That's the only LP I ever had.

An MRI, almost 20 yrs later, only confirmed the MS DX.

Well, if that is happened (and IF my understanding about O-bands is correct), attached is a list of diseases (besides MS) that the O-bands should heal in:

http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/resu...ClassSort=True

(Don't stress though!)

Cherie