Had MRI, now what

[wendya432]

I have to say, limboland is no fun!

I had posted before about my Dr saying it isn't MS because I don't have brain lesions even though clinically he thought it was MS.  But he sent me for an MRI of the neck and spine.

So I had my MRI Friday evening, and it wasn't so bad.  I'm claustrophobic a bit, so I had my ativan, and tried to imagine the noises were different things and kept my eyes closed.  No problems even though it seemed to take forever!  They didn't do contrast, is that normal with the spine?  But I did get to go to the 3T MRI instead of the open 1.5T they had scheduled me with.  So hopefully that will help them see any lesions if they are there.  

Now I'm just waiting.  And worrying.  This weekend has been bad for my legs, especially my right.  It just feels so heavy and lots of spasticity in the evening.  I've also noticed that it's been hard to write, I'm right handed, so the same side as the leg issues.  And my right side of my face (that has been having issues, although nothing showed up on the MRI) has been worse.  I don't know if I need to let the neurologist know about this?  Or call my regular Doctor?  Or just wait until I have my appt with the neuro in a week and a half to go over my MRI?  

I'm not sure if I'm more worried that they will find something on the MRI, or that they won't!  I dont' want to have MS, but I sure want to know what is going on, and the neuro sure seemed stumped as to what else it could be.  

So now do I just wait for my appt?  Should I try to get a copy of my MRI disc and the report?  How soon do they usually have them available?  If it's something bad they would call before hand, right?  

[LilMinnie]

I  totally understand what TLC is saying.   For me, yes, I look at them. However, I generally can't make head or tail of them, although I have educated myself and was quite satisfied with myself when one of the lesions my neurologist pointed out to me was one I had found myself ;-)

I am worse than my cat, nosy and sticking my head in places it doesn't belong.

I believe it is human nature to question and want to know. Having said that, don't let it cause unnecessary worry or obsess. Sure, take a look (I really thought the brain ones were cool), but do wait until you see your neurologist before drawing any conclusions.

Hugs, Minnie :)

[TLC_31]

I would encourage you to NOT obtain the MRI report and/or scans ahead of your neurologist appointment. You likely would see things you don’t understand, and that would cause you to worry more, which can stress you and exacerbate symptoms. Or you could end up with a false sense of security. Other people have posted their MRI reports here, so you can read one or more of those … I certainly can’t make heads or tails of most of them, or even some of mine.

Even if you knew exactly what the MRI said, there is little or nothing you can do about it until you see the neurologist, and maybe not even then. However, if it is MS, the disease really doesn’t turn from bad to worse in one week; it’s a slower progression. Yes, some symptoms can intensify quickly, but you may be able to treat those sooner regardless of the MRI results or lack thereof.

If you do have MS — and when I was at your point I certainly hoped I did — you will presumably start a DMD, and of course that won’t relieve symptoms so you may still be “having issues” for a while. I’m sorry for the long wait for diagnosis, and sorry you’re not feeling well, but rest assured that your doctors are looking out for you and wanting to get their job done right.

[tina21067]

I am joining the T-spine MRI club as well.  I had one on the 7th and haven't heard anything yet.  I see a new neuro tomorrow regarding my facial pain and migraine auras.  Yeah, limboland *****.

[LilMinnie]

Hi, I s understand! I don't want MS. I don't want anything, yet I also want to know what is wrong with me. My right side is my "bad " side too. I also had a t-spine MRI done on Friday :)

I have just been keeping notes of symptoms, when they start, description, duration, etc.   If you are concerned, you may want to contact your neurologist, but if your appointment is in a week and a half youmay jjust want to note what is happening and tell him then.

The waiting is so hard!

As for getting copies of the scans and report, where I go, you can ask for the scans that day and they will copy them right then. Lol, of course I got mine. They do make you wait 14 days before giving you the written report, though.  It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask the facility what their policy is.

Best of luck. I'll be waiting along with you and be thinking of you.

Hugs, Minnie :)

[HVAC]

Yes Limbo is hard. We all want validation to know what is going on is real and has a name. What your Neurologist is telling you is normal. MS is a diagnosis of excluding all other possibilities so it is not MS until they are sure.

Yes it is hard to be diagnosed with out brain lesions. The Doctor did the right thing looking for lesions elsewhere.

It is best to have the Doctor explain the MRI especailly early on. Then get a copy of the report from him and the cd to keep in case you ever see another Doctor.

Tell him about the new symptoms when you see him. Let him explain the report then tell him your symptoms. Neurologists like to do their thing first usually and I let them.

Neurologist time is six months to years. They follow you and watch. Seldom do they make decisions or diagnosis quickly. Mine took two years diagnosing me. I had 5 MRIs  all with lesions and lots of other tests. Finally after one test showed MS I was diagnosed. I had been seeing Neurologists since I was 2 so it really was over 40 years for a diagnosis for me. They were only testing for MS for two years.

MS is not like Cancer where you are diagnosed and treated quickly. In fact once I was diagnosed I see the Neurologist less every 16 months. My care comes from my GP mostly.

Alex