Is 4 months long enought to do follow-up MRI?

[Twinsmom06]

Because LP is clean, spinal MRIs are clean and brain MRI is not...at all...Neuro wants a follow-up MRI at the end of January. My last full brain MRI was done toward the end of September. Is 4 months long enough to see any possible changes? Are changes always seen in brain MRI of those with confirmed MS? Can there ever be a lesser lesion load with MS from one point in time to another...or does it always look "worse"?
Thanks for any thoughts/facts on this. You all have been simply amazing with support!
Thanks!
Kim

[Twinsmom06]

Thanks for sharing...very interesting. I have many lesions (never been given an actual count) but looks like at least a dozen decent sized ones and many small specks that can be seen on my first MRI.

MRI impresson simply states that I have "numerous white matter lesions througout the periventriculare and subcortical white matter of both cerebral hemishphers". The largest is 2.1 cm x 1.2 cm x 1 cm which from my understanding is fairly large...I'm a little curious as to what that bad boy looks like now. The rest of the lesions are clearly smaller than this one but there are several that are fairly large while most are "normal"...if you can call it that!

I hade the VEP and AEP tests done about two weeks ago and I am going to wait to find out those results after I get the second MRI and have those results as well.
I am in the same stage of "wait and watch"...*****!
Kim

[COBOB]

I did.  I went from one lesion to 5 in six months.  It depends on the person.  My neuro wanted to start with 6 months of "wait and watch."  One negative LP, a positive VEP, the development of TN and 4 new lesions seemed to be enough for a diagnosis.  
  
At 6 months on the DMD, no new lesions, but it looked like there was more damage to the optic nerve. There were also changes in the neuro exam.

Bob

[Twinsmom06]

Correct! I am not currently on any DMDs because I don't have a Dx. Just wondering if those who are not on a DMD will always show more lesions on a follow-up MRI or if things can look better from one point in time to the next...rather than worse.
I have had a couple of short-term issues with numbing over the last couple months but not ready to say it is from MS at this point. So I'm just trying to be educated in order to make the most logical decisions for my health as new tests are done:)
Thanks again!
Kim

[COBOB]

Most of the DMDs "slow" changes and prevent disability.  In Twinsmom's case, I assume she is not yet diagnosed and not on DMDs.

Bob

[kwarendorf]

I don't think there are always changes to MRI's for people with a confirmed MS dx. I think the goal of DMD's is to prevent changes from one MRI to another.

[COBOB]

Some centers do serial MRIs 3-6 months after the initial MRI.  Even without changes in symptoms, there can be new lesions or a lesion may enhance.  Under the new 2010 McDonald Criteria, this can be used to demonstrate Dissemination in Space and Time.

Bob

[Twinsmom06]

Enough...lol. Oh boy!