Need experts opinion.

Hi everyone, I have posted here once before about dx'ing MS.

I was able to get a MRI of my spine after my recent crash. The MRI came back normal, I had a normal MRI of my brain last year. I had normal EVP, normal EMG, normal SFEMG, I have had symptoms of MS for 6 plus years. Can I finally put this to rest and say conclusivly that I don't have MS.
Cousin was dx'ed a few months back, so its in the family.
Thanks for any advice/help Patricia

Hi Patricia,

I think the only one that can conclusively put this MS or no MS question to bed is your neuro. He is the only one qualified.

I am concerned that you've had symptoms for some six years and yet all of your tests come back as normal. Something is causing these symptoms and if you don't have a neuro or have not seen one lately the best place to start is with your PCP/GP. They normally do all of the ground work before referring you to a neuro for further evaluation of MS.

Keep in mind that there are many diseases and disorders whose symptoms mimic MS to a T. All of this should be taken into consideration before actually seeing a neuro and all of the tests, primarily blood tests, can be performed by your PCP/GP.

If I was you I would still be curious as to what is causing these symptoms and want it checked out completely. An MRI eval from a car accident is NOT the same as an MRI for eval of MS. They are looking for two completely different results and there is no contrast involved in the first MRI.

JMHO

Thanks Craig, I really haven't given-up about whats causing my health problems. I would trust a neuro if I had one to really trust, I really had to tell this last guy that he did shawdy work in order for him to order a MRI of my spine, because up till a few months ago I never even thought that I needed one, to rule out MS. Now your saying that I should have had a contrasting MRI, he was suppose to look for things in my spinal cord, all seems fine so he says......... Just wondered that after 6 yrs there would of been something there????? Or not ????? Is it possiable ?? Thanks Patricia

What kind of problems did the car crash cause? I think that spinal problems can also cause many of the symptoms of MS. Did you have symptoms before the wreck? Was the MRI done on your entire spine?

No car crash.
Sorry Sally, Craig was saying that there is a differance between a person who gets a MRI because they where in a car crash, verses a person who has symptoms of MS. And that a person who is getting a MRI for MS should have a contrasting one done.

I was under the impression just a regular MRI would show spinal lesion/scars, am I wrong?
And that after 6 plus years something should have shown up, if it was MS, is that right?
Just tired of drs and not getting anywhere, thanks, Patricia

Patricia, I was under the same impression...that lesions in the spinal canal would show up in MRI's. But, my docs are giving me a lumbar puncture, since the "brain" MRI showed leisions. I am also getting a new MRI of my spine...but, I don't think it is to find lesions. I think it is to see what progression there may be.

Good question: Can lesions in the spinal canal be picked up in an MRI?????

Sallyb,

I would say yes, lesions on the spinal column would be able to be seen if large enough and that is what they're looking for. Again, the use of doing and MRI without contrast and then doing it with contrast will show any active lesions by lighting up like a star on the black backgroun.

Radiologist are the ones who review the films initially. They are under pressure to see so many films a day and therefore only tend to look for what was on the MRI order. Why do you think so many women have missed breast lesions. I think it's because the radiologist is moving too fast and tends to miss what isn't obvious. I had this happen to my wife.

Ok, so I guess the answer is still probable MS ?? I still need to get a proper MRI, one with contrast.

I have had all the "other" test to rule out "other" things.......

I don't know of any other disease or syndrom that cause a person to to have frequent set backs "crashes" and that take sometimes weeks to recover from, also they always leave residule effects. ie more weaker, more fatique, more everything.

For example if it was just say vit B12 I would just have the neuro effects but not the crashing. Is that right ????

I do suspect that I have some form of MG, I take Mestinon when I really have to, and it works great, just hate the side effects. It doesn't stop the crashes though. The neuro that perscribed it says that I don't have MG......

Any ideas would be most greatful, thanks, Patricia

Hi Turner. The old saying goes..that if they can't find anything else, it's MS. There are lots of PwMS, who have had clear MRIs and Clear LPs.

When you have "crashes", what are your symptoms? Numbness, paralisis, tingling, double vision, extreme weakness, vertigo, fever..etc?

Hang in there, Patricia. Lots of people are waiting for a definate DX, even though, they have a lot of the symtoms of MS, there really isn't one test that will prove it.

I'm glad that your Neuro or PCP is, at least, treating your symptoms. There are many helpful meds out there for symptom relief. Don't be afraid to ask for them, while he/she is making up their minds about your DX.

Good luck and let us know how it's going, OK.

Well when I crash it usually starts out with some sort of pain.

This last time it started in my shoulder, neck, then wrist, by the time it hit my wrist I was consumed with fatigue.
Its the kind of fatigue that even breathing and chewing is too much work. Bed rest is all I can do.

The neuro problems then start in with thick tongue, tingle and numbness in my left foot, spasms in the lower back, but they come and go every where.

Last year I had bladder spasms, that left me with a weak bladder now.

Achy neck, cause of bulging disks. This can last for a few days, to up to a few weeks, then I gradually get better, sorta,

Just seems a little scary sometimes, don't know whats happening with my body. I would like to feel normal, would like a life, and it seems that no dr seems to want to dx anything.

Oh well carry on, I think I will remind my gp that some people have clear MRI and LP, maybe I can find some articals about that.

Really picks me that I have to educate drs

Thanks, Patricia