Apointment today

[kathylund]

Hi everyone, I have been reading so much I feel like I am getting to know some of you. this really is a wonderful helpful forum! Well, I have my first app with a neuro today. Have just dealt with my gp before this. I had a mri (with and without contrast 5 years ago) and had another a couple weeks ago (ms protocal 1.5 machine) both came up clean, I have not seen any reports but that is what my gp told me. My neoro practices in the same hospital as my gp, so I called and made sure that he will have accesss to both mri's. So I am so afraid of walking in and him telling me that it could not be MS because both MRI;s were clear.(not that I won't be jumping for joy if it's not!) I want him to do a MRI of my spine also, I just don't want him to say "no need" as my gp did. Is there anything else that I should ask him for at this time? At this point my symptems are numb toe on one foot for the last month, toes on other foot tingly, back and forth, face is tingly, back and forth, and now my legs feel tired, I don't know, just really with I could get an answer, like many of you, thank you all for your posts, they are so very helpfull!

Prayers for you all!!
Kathy

[kathylund]

Julie I went back and read some of your past posts, Can't believe what you went through. 5 years ago, I got symptoms also my toes and face. I did ask my neuro for a MRI of my spine today, he told me he wants to get all the blood test results and based on my past and present MRI of my brain, there is no reason. My husband walked out of the office and felt relieved that the doc said I don't have MS, he is telling me to get it out of my mind, I wish I could, but I still have these Symptoms and yes mine to are worse than they were 5 years ago with nothing in between. So I guess my waiting game continues. Thank you all so much for your help, I know thhat you are all going through your own personal battles, it really means alot!
Kathy

[becca204]

From one newbee to another- welcome!

It sounds like your long history of symptoms warrant them looking at your spine, if nothing else than to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms, as well as seeing about MS.

Be brave and know that others here support you while you are getting to the bottom of things. Keep going and find your answers.

[LisaJF]

Inquiring minds want to know!  (Puts on a party hat for LuLu)

[Lulu54]

Getting to this party late - so now I can ask how did the appt. go today?  Well, I hope.
Lulu

[jujuminx]

Kathy,
  Various dr's ordered brain MRI's on me for close to 20 yrs with all coming up CLEAN.  Finally neuro ordered spinal MRI's (c and t) and found lesions.

  So I would say, you are not nuts. MS is a disease that can effect both the brain AND the spine.  Push for a spinal MRI based on lower body numbness.

  Good luck.

Julie

[kathylund]

You hit it on the head exactly! Since there were no lesions on my brain,(2 MRI, 5 years apart) he said that "right now" he does not think that it is nessasary. He orderered a TON of bloodwork. He looked at my MRi and said it was compleatly normal, he also added that he has never seen MS without "something" showing up on the brain MRI, which I told him that I have read that it does happen! My husband came in with me and also told him that something is not right. I do believe the neuo believed me, but I also think that he has no idea what it is, but he did say he is fairly convinced that it is not MS. So am I nuts? Am I barking up the wrong tree? I really don't know any more now that before I walked into his office! Thank you guys for listening,

Kathy

[COBOB]

Spinal lesions will not cause a tingly face.  That one symptom kind of throws off spinal lesions. TM and a few other things.  It is just how doctors think: "Is there anything that would rule out spinal demyelinating lesions, Transverse Myelitis, etc."  Most docs don't think of: "What would happen if there were spinal lesions and brain lesions?"   Since no lesions showed up on the MRI of the Brain,  they will pretty much think that there is no proof of a demyelinating process in the brain.

Bob

[HVAC]

Doing a spinal MRIs depends on many things symptoms and Neurological test such as reflexes etc. They can tell more from where Neurological damage is from the tests in the exam room than MRIs show. Spinal MRIs are more expensive than brain MRIs usually $5000-$8000 so they have to justify it to the insurance. They are not as accurate as brain MRIs for the simple reason it is harder to stay still.

He may well order spinal MRIs. The Neuro might do other tests depending on your symptoms and Neuro exam. They often do tests to rule all other possibilities out. I had tons of blood tests.

The way most work is it is not MS until all the evidence shows them it is MS. This seems odd but that is how they work. They usually

If you click on the top right under health pages there is more information.

Best of luck.

Alex