my MRI results, kinda mad!
 

ok so my pcp was the one who sent me to get MRI of c spine and lumbar she too mentioned that after ruling out everything else the only thing really left is MS and i have all the symptoms so she sent me to get an MRI before i go see my neuro so i would have it, little did i know she sent me to get it done without contrast and according to the nurse at my neuro office, in order to see new lesions you have to get the contrast so its MRI number 3 for me in 2 weeks. but im curious, do MSers have other issues with their spine and back? here is what my MRI results said without contrast:
(im only gonna put the things they said where wrong not the things that are normal)
FINDINGS: the l4-l5 disce is desiccated, the ls-l4 disc is desiccated

L-3 L-4 moderate concentric disc buldge is present. central canal and neural foramina are patent
L-4 L-5 concetric disc bulge with posterior annular tear centrally. and small central zone disc protrusion. ligament flavum thickening is present, there is trace fluid in the right facet joint.
L5-S1 concaentric disc bulge is present
IMPRESSION:
mild degenerative disease in the lower lumbar spine, most significant at L4-L5 where there is a moderate concentric disc bulge and a small central zone disc protrusion

OK HERE IS MY C SPINE REPORT"

FINDINGS: there is mild loss of normal cervical lordosis
c3/c4- a disc bulge
c6/c7-disc bulge

IMPRESSION: cervical spine disc disease

well iguess its the waiting game again, till i get another MRI with contrast.

I don't have any back or spinal problems but that's not to say you can't have them along with MS.

I hope you can get another MRI with contrast so your Neuro can determine what the problem is.

Hi candacehp143,

Anyone, with or without MS, can have spine problems. Bulging discs or any spine problem where there is impringment on nerves can cause neurological symptoms.

MS causes damage to the spinal cord not the vertebra.

You can have all of the symptoms of MS but that doesn't mean it's MS. There is no symptom or symptoms unique to MS, they are neurological symptoms. Neurological symptoms can have numerous causes.

The nurse from your Neurologists office is correct --- to see new lesions contrast is needed. Any lesions will show up without contrast all the contrast does is indicate which, if any, of those lesions are new.

yes you are right! ive done alot of research on ms the past 3 years of having all these syptoms and being rushed to the ER with signs and syptoms of a stroke. i realise that no one wants to have any kind of disease, but id rather just know whats going on with me and get Tx then not know and suffer the way i do. now its affecting my everyday like, my house is covered with sticky notes cause my memory is SOO bad! im always not feeling well so my 4 kids know there is something wrong when im always in bed. i cant be active with them anymore for more then 10 min at a time cus i get so worn out or spasms. it just gets depressing. atleast with some kind of Tx for whatever this might be, my life can be 50% more normal then it is right now.

I found some information about cervical lordosis which you might find helpful. It is possible your problems are related to the findings on the MRI.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cervical-lordosis.htm

i didnt see anything in that article about memory loss, tingling numbness of hands feet, legs and arms, tightning of throat and chest, stroke like symptoms, dizziness, muscle spasms in vairous parts of the body, concentration problems, blurred vision floaters in eyes, bladder issues, i mean the list goes on and on and on, starting to feel like everyone thinks im just imagining my symptoms. not you or anyone on here, just people in my everyday life. i understand my MRI shows massive back issues LOL! i dont really get alot of pain in my back but there is obviously something neuro going on with me. drs have already ruled out lymes, RA, fibromyalgia, lupus, a few dif blood disorders, vit b12 def. can you tell me what else is there that could poss have? i know i posted another thread explaining most of my symptoms and the episodes ive had. :confused:

No candacehp143, not all of your symptoms can be attributed to the current MRI findings.

I can tell you that bulging discs can cause some major problems. My husband had a bulging disc (just one disc) and his legs were unable to support him. He walked around with the support of crutches, using his upper body strength and dragging his legs. He had numbness, muscle spasms, pain and tingling. To this day he still deals with muscle spasms and some pain in his legs.

Don't discount what the MRI and report have found. It may not be the complete puzzle but it might be some of it.

Have they done a HEAD MRI? with or without contrast? Have you had a lumbar puncture done? While yes, it is true that the contrast will light up NEW lesions or ones that are ACTIVE old lesions and healing lesions would have shown without contrast.

To have lesions in your head AND in your spine cements a diagnosis of MS regardless of how many lesions you have. If you count on just the head MRI most MDs wants a count of 9 to 13 to get you on the road.

Yes, we can have spinal issues and loads of other issues with or without MS on top of it. I have a brain tumor, and I have a fracture of L4 and L5 that has healed well without bulges. I have the MS hug with is supposed to come from a spinal lesion, but thus far, none have shown on my spinal MRI.

That leads me to strength of the machine itself. Most open MRIs are a strength of 1. Most closed MRIs are 1.5 to 2 in strength and some centers now have 3 and even 5 is coming. The higher the number the more powerful the machine, and the more likely it is to pick up lesions and all kinds of other wonderful stuff that may scare you to pieces. So, what may not appear on a 1 may light up like a Christmas tree on a 3. Ask your center if they have a 3 available for your next scan. If not, then at least you will be comparing apples to apples when they read it.

I know you want a label, and for someone to finally end this nightmare and let you know that you are not crazy, drug seeking, whining or just a baby, but for most of us getting a diagnosis is a long term process. Hang in there.

I was in a severe car accident when I was 6 years old and whip lashed my neck so bad its a wonder it didn't break. I have a lot of damage from that in my neck but I still have M.S. :(
It took me about 12 years to get a diagnosis and in the meantime I think my immune system was going crazy causing me all kinds of bizzare symptoms that didn't look like M.S. at all! I felt like I was "nuts" and wanted to hold up a big sign that said " SEE, I TOLD YOU I HAD SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME!"
Hang in there and I hope you get some answers and help soon.........

@candace - I know this must be difficult. I understand that a diagnosis may answer for your sx's but IMNHO, knowing is just a part of what is happening.

I did not have any contrasting with my first two MRI's. The first MRI was focused on an area to see if I had any nerve issues with my increased numb legs/feet.

The radiologist thought he saw something so an MRI of another part of my spine was ordered. I had/have multiple lesions visible.

Tentative MS dx was given. THEN I went into the hospital for all the stuff like a lumbar puncture and steroids, etc.

Try not to stress too much. The locations of lesions do not stop the sx's or change much in the way you physically feel right now.

You do not want the doctors to rush to judgement.

Doctors do not have much in the way of solutions to what is happening.

Sticky notes are a good way of trying to solve your memory issues.