Yup. I had two MRIs with an interval change between. The LP was completely unnecessary (and a hideous experience) but I did it anyway just to give my neuro some piece of mind in my dx (since I'd not had any symptoms to date). I should several O-bands. That was enough to cement it.

I only had an MRI - and it was conclusive enough to dx me without the LP. I would not have had the LP even if the doctor had suggested it.

My LP was inconclusive. The phrasing by the neuro was "abnormal, but not totally positive of MS"

Took back to back flares to dx me - proof of that time and space critera

I had only one O-Band. Do normal people have one O-Band? I nver understood what themeaning of "one" O Band is.

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

Snoopy, did they do a MRI of your spine specifically too, around the time of your LP?

Also, how long did it take before lesions did show up?

Cherie

I posted >2, but I had 2 with elevated whatever, but I did not and still do not have lesions showing on MRI. I was diagnosed by findings of my LP and the fact that I had had 2 exacerbations.