When to get MRI

How long do you have to wait after symtoms start to get a brain mri? Mine was negative, but I only waited a month after symptoms..

thanks,

Eleanor

Hi Eleanor,

 

   There really isnt a set answer to your question as MS progresses differently for everybody.  For some lesions might show in a matter of months after symptoms and others it takes years.  If MS hasnt been ruled out for you, they might want to redo the scan in six months or so.  That too is just an estimate depending on the doctor treating you and how your symptoms are progressing.  By that I mean how often you are getting relapses, new symptoms or worsening of old symptoms.  Many people here keep a journal of what happens when.  Keep us updated on how you are doing.

   This is a pretty good site which explains the diagnostic criteria and testing you might go through.        

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/diagnosingms.html

Kimber,
Thanks for sharing the info on mri's.. I think I went too soon to have one.. I don't think going after only having symptoms for a month is enough time to detect lesions. If you never get lesions, can a doctor diagnose ms by symptoms alone?

Eleanor

Hi Eleanor,

 

    Majority of doctors will not give a definite diagnosis without lesions, however as Uppity explained there isn't one single test for MS.  Evoked potentials and lumbar puncture can also be performed and those results can be used to aid in the diagnosis along with the MRI and neurological exams performed over time.  Also all other possible causes to the symptoms need to be ruled out as well. 

 

    In the MS resources thread there is an excellent website found by Uppity which go through the what else might it be question if you are interested. 

 

Kimber

Eleanor,

 

    Not a problem at all, we're here to help.  I'm sorry you're going through all this in the first place but try to hang in there.  Did your doctor say what the next step might be since your MRI was negative?

 

 

Hi Eleanor -

I am going to see an MS specialist next month for a 2nd opinion by the advice of my neuro. My neuro has run the following tests on me as it stands, MRI - abnormal, EEG - slightly abnormal, LP - normal, blood work - normal.

My tremors described are shaking for no apparent reason, the most bothersome are the ones that are like caffeine jitters that I get most of the time now in both hands and arms. My head always feels like it's shaking, but on the outside it isn't, my lower jaw will start trembling like when someone is cold, but mine happens at any time. My legs will start at a slight tremor and then go more into a violent shaking for about a minute and then it's gone. However when I do get cold, I will start to shiver and even when I am warmed up, I still 'shiver' up to a 1/2 hour after being warm, I didn't relate this to MS though, just my body trying to get warm again, that I would think is normal.

As everyone here has said lesions on an MRI is not the DX getter, it's a part of the diagnosis process, but I have to have something else clinical to back it up... possibly if the MRI in April shows active lesions or new lesions, with the symptoms that I have? I don't know. This may sound horrible but I think MS is much easier to dx when someone has had the horrible experience of losing the use of their arm or leg for several days and then if an MRI shows lesions or the LP is positive it's a tad easier, but for those of us that luckily have not had that type experience, and we just have 'symptoms and sensory problems' it becomes a lot harder to dx. Even though I have the rt sided numbness on the arm and leg, I still can use them and have not been hospitalized for anything. I walk like I am drunk about 50% of the time and have other balance/dizzy issues as well, but my neuro still feels that she alone can not dx on what we have so far. Which is OK, since now I'm going to see a MS specialist and hopefully get a yay or nay. As far as I know, everything else has been ruled out, so it's just a waiting game.

Hang in there we're all here to help one another. This forum has been my godsend as well since I've started testing.

Rhonda,
Thanks So much for getting back to me.. Can you PLEASE tell me what your symptoms are? Will you get a spinal tap since everything keeps coming back negative?

Eleanor

Hey Eleanor!

Sorry it's so late in my answering this post, but i needed to get to a time where i could sit and think for a bit about this. It's been such a winding road and add to that three little girls out on spring break...and u see why i have to get quiet time!

My symptoms have been pretty varied and all over the place. I started with numbness over my body in patches that began in my face and hands. I had a feeling of wetness in my hands and then i began being dizzy and having that drunken walk. From there on it's been one thing after another. I guess u could say i've had the 'classic' ms symptoms, but also the funky sensory stuff that u'll see talked about here but not listed on any official symptoms list. I don't really know where to begin on the sensory stuff...vibrating in my leg and sometimes in my arm. Most of my stuff has been right sided. Oftentimes i am dizzy and off balance...that's what i pretty much have all the time...the rest sorta comes and goes. Numbness at times still...tonight i was cooking and my right hand (my dominant hand) began to get numb in the part that was closest to the heat. Lately choking on anything and everything. Not so sure that's related to all this because as i understand ms related choking is more on liquids, tho i could be wrong. I guess i'm having a bit of a time recalling it all tonight, but suffice it to say it's varied and much!! Thankfully it comes and goes and i get lots of days that i'm just fine but for the silly dizziness and bal probs. Those aren't too problematic tho...i have learned how to place my feet and even toes to afford those bal probs.

No, i won't be getting a spinal tap unless my doc's feel it's helpful. At this time neither of them have suggested it and in fact the second opinion doc said it'd prob not reveal anything since the other tests have been neg. For now and until or unless anything else shows up, i'll be in limbo land. There's nothing else i or anyone else can do. Once u've exhausted u'r testing/diagnosing options that's all that's left. Don't get u'rself down if u don't get an answer soon. It can take a long time for some and in the meantime don't get single minded either. Keep u'rself open to anything it could be...so as not to miss any other possible real cause of u'r symptoms. I found myself doing this to an extent at one point and i had to bring myself back into focus. MS isn't the only thing that can cause our symptoms and it'd be such a loss of time to be too focused on one thing and miss the bigger picture. Hang in there and keep asking questions and getting info. Ask for and get copies of all u'r med records as well as any and all test results. They're u'rs and u may well need them in the future. I"m really glad u found this sie and i truely hope u'll find the help and support u deserve here.

Hey Denda

My goodness friend, i'm so sorry u'r having so much trouble right now. Know i'm praying for u and keeping u in my thoughts. I do hope this gets better for u and that u'll find many, many more of those good days. Hold on and i just know it'll get better. I'm here in u'r corner should u need me.