We have often talked about the % of people with MS who have O-bands, and I am wondering how many people here, with a confirmed dx of MS, had the required 2+ O-bands (or were even tested, etc.)?

Cherie

I was diagnosed with MS in spite of the fact that my spinal was normal. It was the only thing that kept me from being diagnosed much earlier, but eventually the doctor had to say that I must be one of the few that has MS, but has a clear spinal.

All of the doctors I saw thought that a spinal was not necessary for diagnosis.

My MS neuro who diagnosed me said that LP's are not necessary, or at least it wasn't in my case. I had lesions on the brain, and a history of two relapses with classic symptoms as well as other lingering symptoms.

The previous neuro I saw did do the LP, and it turned out negative. He however, was not an MS specialist, so maybe that's why he wanted the additional tests to be sure.

My current doctor is familiar enough with MS that he didn't need the LP.

they didn't have that test available way back then, in the dark ages of my Dx.



I didn't even know about O-band testing until I read about all the LPs going on, here on MS boards, and somebody posted this:

OligoClonal Bands (Gamma Globulin Bands) - A positive finding from the chemical analysis of ImmunoGlobulin (IgG) found in Cerebrospinal fluid. IgG Bands indicates an Intrathecal production of antibodies. This signifies an Immune response to a nonspecific CNS Antigen.

IgG Banding is commonly found during a current or very recent exacerbation. It is present in 50 - 75% of patients undergoing a diagnosis for MS, and eventually in 87% - 95% of all MSers.

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3468/gloss1-o.html

I don't think they were specifically looking for O-bands when they did my CSF testing (also back in the dark ages), but the test was botched, so they never found out anyway.

They never asked after that.

Cherie

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).

I had 16 O-Bands. None in the Serum.