Cognitive flare?
 

Hi All! I read alot over on the old BT and was so happy to find this one. After three years of symptoms I showed my first lesions back in May, giving me the 'probable' diagnosis.

I started having some pretty bad cognitive issues last Saturday (a week ago saturday) that were showing no signs of letting up. I finally called my neuro and saw him on wednesday. He wants another MRI done today...if I wasn't feeling better.

Here's my question: I'm feeling a little better. My words and thinking are still messed up, but my 'head in the clouds feeling' is letting up some. I already had a follow up MRI scheduled for November and I'm wondering if I should wait until then. Can you have a flare that is only cognitive issues? And if there's new inflamation going on will it still show in November?

You see, my insurance only covers 80% for the MRI's and the doc has ordered it for the brain, c-spine and thoracic spine. I'm sure you all know how much that will cost. I guess that's my main reason for hesitation. What if it dosn't show any changes and I need to do it again in 6 months? But if it does show changes I can get started on treatment. Ugh.

Thanks for any advice that you can give.

Cost of MRI
 

Tough question.

One thought: If you get a definate diag from the MRI now, you can start treatment now.

Second thought: A problem you have now will still be there (in the MRI) in November. That is not very far away.

Third thought: If you have the MRI now you won't have to get another in November so your question is: Pay 80% now or 80% in November? Can a couple of months make a difference?
What was your first symptoms that led your doc to give you a
"probable MS" diag? Were those symptoms very different from cognitive issues?

My first bad MRI showed lots of lesions in the cognitive area even though I was NOT experiencing anything I would call a cognitive challenge (at the time). Most of my flares are sensory in nature with residual crap like cognitive brain fog on and off...but not really like a flare feeling.

Tell us some more about yourself.....maybe I can help further?

Hi Daphne, welcome back home. :)

I'm not a Doc and I don't play one on TV, but it's been my experience that MS fatigue is the usual culprit with cognative problems. In the summertime, heat causes fatigue, among other symptoms, and fatigue leads to brain fog (cognative)

I don't have MRIs anymore, but then, I've had MS for a loooong time and to me, after you have been DXed, MRIs are a waste of time and money. But you don't have a definate DX yet, so it's up to you, if you feel the need and you think it will help the Doc. to give you a definate DX and get you on some meds.

I hope you feel better soon and good luck with your decision.

((((((Daphne)))))))

Thanks Karliann and Sally.

I did go today. I went as far as calling the neuro to see about canceling it, but they urged me to go. I suppose I was looking for someone to tell me not to go! :o

The tech told me it would take about an hour and fifteen minutes but ended up taking two hours and fifteen minutes. That makes me a little nervous. I don't have to wait to long for the results though. My neuro goes on vacation for ten days on Wednesday and assured me he would get me the results before then. So that's good.

To answer your question Karliann, most of my symptoms so far have been sensory issues: numbness, tingling, sensitive skin, etc. I do have the wonderful fatigue with occasional brain fog also. My MRI in May showed a few small lesions (all in the brain) that weren't there in my previous MRI's, thus leading to the 'probable' diagonosis. I got the BS about having to see changing lesions before it would be official...nobody wants to hear my anger about that one. :mad: The neuro pretty much said that's what it is BUT nothing could be done until the lesions change. I say...EARLY TREATMENT IS KEY! Ugh...

The wonderful cognitive issues I have been having for the past week are new. It's an all over 'head in space' feeling. Dazed, zoned, can't think straight, can't talk right, and certainly can't remember anything. I'm clumsy, tripping, dropping things, etc. I'm just ready for it to all go away now!

Thanks again for the replys and I'm so happy to have found this place. I hope alot of the old BT peeps find it as well. :)

From working in a teaching hospital for many years, i have found out that there are alternative ways to pay for tests. One of the most frequent here was to put whatever the patient couldn't pay and put it in the residency training budget and make it a learning experience for them. They have to look at the MRIs and whole case study. I am not saying that are treating you. Your neuro still is but just allowing the residents to looks at the case.

Thanks for the tip doydie. I'll look into that! :)

Don't some Gap Insurance policies pay the co-pays and deductables? I remember my Mother on Medicare and she had Gap Ins, and her only deductible was $100.00 for the Gap and then all was paid. I don't knw how expensive it was, b/c her Employer paid the premium.

Anyway, that's good news Doydie for those who are not fully insured.