Hi all,
This is my first post on the MS forum. I've been in the MG (which I was dx'd with in 2004) and PN (which I thought I was going to be dx'd with not so apparently), aneurysm (had an unruptered brain annie coiled in Jan 09), and spinal injuries (car accident in 1991 & 3 cervical discectomies 93, 97 & 04 and it was thought from 1996 on that the second of those discs hit my spinal cord and that explained my non-MG symptoms), but again, for the I can't tell you how many times this has been considered, my new neuro is looking at MS on me.

I did have an evoked potential that showed a blockage (my sensory EP, not the visual) in 1997, but no MRI has shown any lesions. Most of mine were without contrast, but I did have contrast both brain and spine in 2004. I do have metal in the cervical area that causes artifact - would that hide lesions?

Every neuro has thought MS since 1996, but it has been shot down and they ended up presuming those sx are due to the prior "spinal cord compression", but I have strong reason to think maybe there was no compression. This flare I'm in is showing definite progression of symptoms, involvement in new areas, and my neuro tells me the only way compression would cause this is if I had another area of new compression.
She really expected we would see CIDP (cousin to MS), but my EMG's rule that out.

My recent myelogram shows there is no compression at this time, so...

Any input would be helpful.

Thanks a bunch.

I don't know if I did something incorrectly on this post, but haven't seen any reponses yet. If anyone has any knowlege re: my questions, I would really appreciate it. I have researched on the web, but haven't found anything really specific as to artifact interference or if regular MRI is as good as contrast at finding the lesions, or how long can lesions go without showing. Please help, if there is any info out there.

Thanks again for your time.

Sorry you've not had an answer to your questions Becky.

I had 2 MRIs completed... 1 session, but part without contrast, part with contrast.

The non-contrast portion was 'normal', the contrast portion is where they found my lesions.

I've spoken with folks who were diagnosed with MS without having any lesions present on their MRI.

We're all so very unique!

As for how metal affects an MRI, I'm not sure.. other than my neuro freaks at the littlest piece of metal that COULD affect an MRI.

I'm sorry I can't answer your other questions, but I'm certain someone else will have more insight.

I am so sorry that no one has answered your post yet. some of us are away, and some are thinkers and need time to form answers. Hang in there.

My response is...

MS is the great imitator. it can closely mirror so many other diseases, and many of us who have this disease are still in the "what are they talking about" lane. I am glad that you are seeking medical care, and continueing to seek more answers instead of sitting in the corner and waiting for them to come to you. loads of us have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and shoved from one MD to another.

MS is diagnosed through time and space. It "normally" requires 7 to 10 lesions in specific areas of your brain to appear in at least 2 MRIs done at least six months apart. The ventricle area will have a spattering of lesions from where the mylin has been eaten surrounding that area. Usually at least 2 "attacks" of anything from a dropped foot to Optic neuritis. Its very rare to be diagnosed on your first attack, unless your MRI is full of lesions, and even then they put you in the "suspected" lane till another MRI can be done WITH contrast six months down the line.

So, 2 attacks, 7 to 10 lesions, and a consistant history of flairs, or Optic neuritis. An LP (spinal tap) that shows Obands is typically thrown in as part of the proving grounds. 99% of the time no obands, no lesions, and minor flairs will result in being sent home to continue seeking another reason for your flairs other than MS.

There are more than 100 other diseases that can mimic MS. Some of them produce lesions, some dont. B12 deficiency. Lyme, MG, Sjogrens, Lupus, and the list goes on and on. Its EXTREMELY difficult to diagnose MS through a message board, even with clearly descriptive language. Most end up here with a firm dx in hand, or still in the chase of trying to find the answers for "what is this!" We would love it if you would hang out, or maybe be more descriptive about your own search. Not receiving an answer on your post simply means that most of us either didnt have time yet to respond, we missed it, or we dont know.

To answer your question more directly.

I dont know. Some here have been diagnosed with less than the required 7 to 10 lesions, and skipped the LP process because the symptoms were so dramatic, and clear to the neuro providing the tests that the door was opened, and they were taught the club house handshake. Some went with very few sx and were told their MRI was chucked full of lesions, and taught the handshake.

MS is so many different things to so many different people. Some of us are half blind from optic neuritis, and some of us are dragging a leg. Some of us are too exhausted to care for our families, and need help, and some of us are following that old text book they keep dragging out. So, its very hard to say..."this will happen for exactly two weeks, and then, it will change over to this, and then...MS forgot to read the rule book, and marches to its own drummer.

I do hope you find some answers. Most of us have been very lost, in the dark, dragged from MD to MD, and told to go home and rest, and not be so uptight. it sounds like you have a good team on your side who are not quitting without getting you some answers. That is the best first step.

Pull up a chair, and tell us more.

How long can MRI show no lesions with MS?

I'm not sure a Neuro could even answer that

I didn't have lesions when diagnosed and I never had another MRI until 2005. Because of that I have no idea when lesions first started showing up.

In 1986 I was given a clinical diagnosis based on a positive LP, symptoms and neuro exam.

I really don't know but I hope you get an answer soon. Not just to the one posted but whether or not it's MS.

And I'm sorry we as a team dropped the ball in responding to you.

Thanks to all of you. Don't apologize. I figured I did something wrong so the post wasn't on right or something, but I definately understand how it is for all of us in the unfortunate circumstance of having to be on a forum like this - very hectic on top of having to manage our conditions and docs and lives besides.

I just TRIED to post my history, but I guess I timed out and I'm just to worn out to try again, so I will try later after some rest.

That's a "warning" of what you're up against - it was a long post covering my history of this question of MS since 1996. ARGH!

Talk to you all later - please take care until then!

We look forward to hearing from you Becky, and reading your story. Sharing is always a good thing here.

you can always write your story onto a word processor like WORD or whatever, and then copy and paste it onto the thread reply. That way you can take all the time you need to write, edit, and clarify, and not worry about a timer.

Hope that helps.

Hi Raz, and a big Welcome to you. I'm glad you found us and so sorry for not seeing this sooner.

Some have answered your questions very well and I have nothing to add except to say that I was Dxed in the 70s with just a myelogram(sp).

I hope your Neuro can come up with some definative answers for you and I, too, hope it's not MS.....but nothing worse, either.