How often should one have an MRI?
 

I wondered as it has been two years now since my last MRI. I seem to only get one new lesion each year.

My last one showed another new enhanced lesion on the pons. I only have 6 lesions and all white matter so none in the grey part.

I have a couple of new symptoms that are driving me even more nuts! My fingertips buzz and painless but annoying muscle spasms in my right leg. Wierd huh. :confused:

Guess I will call the Neuro tomorrow. I am not on any meds. I am still CIS but last time he said most likely a very slow PPMS.

Yep; I am a bit slow alright....:p

Jim hardly ever gets them anymore. When he was RRMS they took one at least every year. Now that he's SSMS they rarely do them unless there is a suspicious symptom like when he had the hug.

Unless you haven't been DX or you are in a trial that requires them, or suspect a tumor, I say never. The MRI is a good dx tool and an iffy progression tool. It doesn't always coincide with your symptoms though, so why bother?

They are expensive and very uncomfortable to most people. I've had 2 in the last 15 yrs....1 in 1993 for re-dx and 1 in 1998, because the Neuro said I hadn't had one in awhile..:rolleyes:.....no changes. The Doc nor I have seen the need for any more.:)

If you are a worrier, like me, and you would feel better, having an MRI, then you should, just to make sure.

I hope your new symptoms are just temporary, Janie, and you feel better very soon. :hug::hug:

i'd been having one annually but i've been very stable so that may stop.
i'm on meds and have also been clinically stable.

if you're having new sx's i'd at least call your dr and let him know.

i also have a protruding disc in my neck so they'd check for that too.

hope you get answers from your doc.

I guess it depends on the situation and your neuro. Definitely agree with giving his office a call.

Because I had back to back flares during the DX process, am "newly" DX'd, and on a DMD - my current schedule is every 6 months. New symptoms equals a trip to the machine too. :rolleyes:

I'm hoping that if I remain stable, they'll switch it to an annual test.

Hope you feel better soon. :hug:

I've had one in 18 yrs. Like Sally said, if they suspected it wasn't MS causing any new problems, that is when I would have another. Other than that, what's the point?

I think they are getting closer to defining the "risk for future disability" through evaluation of our gray matter damage, but that is a new concept and not currently a "marker" for efficacy of our meds. "Witnessing" transient enhancing lesions, apparently doesn't matter to long-term (10+ yrs) progression anyway.

If we are not succeeding with our med of choice, that should be most obviously evident by our disability progression.

Cherie

I am also getting one every 6 months per the recommendation of the MS center at Barnes Hospital. My neuro agreed with this since I am not on any treatement plan.

Thanks all!

I have had nine MRI's in the last six years so it's a wonder I don't glow in the dark.

Add to that 7 lumbar punctures and all the rest of the nuclear med stuff.

Would you believe I had to pee in a bucket for a week to check for heavy metals?? That was really freaky! :eek:

I am donating my body to science when I die and what do you bet cause of death (if I am not run over by a garbage truck) will be all that dye!!

Coroner reports:
Death caused by contrast Dye. All body parts sparkle and just so pretty! Cremains look like pixie dust....

Sorry rambling thoughts will get me in trouble again! ;)

I've only been diagnosed since March 08, had my MRI done beginning of February 08... my neurologist never mentioned a follow up MRI, although he did mention that we could MRI other areas (I only had my brain imaged).

That was before my blood work and spinal came back though. After that (all signs point to yes) I think he basically just dismissed the idea of doing another MRI on me, and looking at the symptoms rather than the lesions.

Hi,
I get them every 12 to 18 months and would do one sooner if I have a major flare. My rationale is that if my MRI starts showing remarkable changes I'd want to switch my dmd rather than waiting until I had symptoms or irreversible damage. I know they don't go exactly hand in hand but there is some correlation so I'm trying to hedge my bets. :(