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If you're in remission, can they still see MS-related lesions on an MRI?

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Posted 10/22/2006 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've never been diagnosed but I did have a lot of signs here and there over the past couple of years. October '05 to early January I had severe spasticity in my legs, now I just have occasional weakness/paralysis/spasticity in my hands and feet, and my eye twitches. I had bladder control issues for a while. All of my autoimmune-related diseases seem to have let up lately but are still in the background. I have hyperthyroidism, Crohn's, and psoriasis (undx'd). I rarely get mouth ulcers, sacroiliitis and eye inflammation now but still get it now and then. I just don't know if I should bother getting tested now. I don't know if they'll see anything. What should I do?
Posted 10/22/2006 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Cyborg Ninja

How long has it been since u'r last mri? If some time has passed it may be worthwhile. I'm not sure if they still show up while in remission, but i'v heard they do. I will be interested to see what others say about this. Thanks for bringing this up and good to see u!

rhonda
Posted 10/22/2006 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, MS lesions show up even if u r in remission from an attack. I know this from personal experience. For me, I can have one or more active lesions on MRI when I feel like I am fine. I still have several other lesions that are just "black holes" on MRI, or inactive lesions, at any given time. I am in a research study for MS and have serial MRI's done.

Posted 10/22/2006 10:15 AM (GMT 0)

Cyborg Ninja said...
I've never been diagnosed but I did have a lot of signs here and there over the past couple of years. October '05 to early January I had severe spasticity in my legs, now I just have occasional weakness/paralysis/spasticity in my hands and feet, and my eye twitches. I had bladder control issues for a while. All of my autoimmune-related diseases seem to have let up lately but are still in the background. I have hyperthyroidism, Crohn's, and psoriasis (undx'd). I rarely get mouth ulcers, sacroiliitis and eye inflammation now but still get it now and then. I just don't know if I should bother getting tested now. I don't know if they'll see anything. What should I do?

Yes, MS-related lesions can show up if someone is in remission. If you do get a new MRI, you might ask to get it "with contrast" -- sometimes the dye (the "contrast") will cause lesions to show up that aren't visible ordinarily.  The mouth ulcers, scroiliitis and eye inflammation aren't particularly signs or symptoms of MS, though...
Posted 10/22/2006 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had an MRI. And I mentioned the mouth ulcers etc to say that my immune system is not particularly overactive at the moment. Thanks for the welcoming btw, Rhondab. Nice to meet you too. :o)
Posted 10/22/2006 7:39 PM (GMT 0)

Cyborg Ninja said...
I've never had an MRI. And I mentioned the mouth ulcers etc to say that my immune system is not particularly overactive at the moment. Thanks for the welcoming btw, Rhondab. Nice to meet you too. :o) o

Well, i gues I'd need to know what kind of testing you're inquiring about.  The "usual" testing for MS are MRI's -- first of the brain (with, or without "contrast"), and sometimes the spinal cord.  And then an lp -- which may or may not indicate MS...but also might point to some other disease process going on.  Blood tests are generally done to rule out all those other things that might be MS, or autoimmune nature, but instead point to some other disease organism, like thyroid problems or diabetes, or a host of other disorders.  But again...the mouth ulcers. etc -- if you've had them in the past, and someone has told you they're indicative of an overactive immune system, I still say they're not particularly common with MS, so it's even more important for you to get some testing done to rule in or out many of the other autoimmune disease, besides MS, that might be affecting you. I hope you find some answers soon.

You might check out the Lyme forum to see if any of your symptoms "look like" Lyme Disease. Be prepared to be embraced and told you have Lyme Disease...but you need to determine that with a doctor you trust.

Post Edited By Moderator (Kimber) : 10/22/2006 9:25:47 PM (GMT-6)

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