It's Time to Show what you've Learned about MS!

[sllowe]

I'd like this discussion to show what you've learned about MS. Specifically, what you've learned about having MS with NO continued VISUAL lesion accumulation see via MRI, while continuing to experience daily limitation or disability.

We stress here often that existing damage causes limitation and disability. It's a simple fact. But, some have been told because of MRI inactivity, they may not have MS.

Unless your doctor suspects another disease process could be at play here, you should continue to treat your MS.

Please, list what you've learned:
  I'll start.........
1) Stable MRIs do not mean, "You don't have MS"

[drsdonthelp]

Lulu, I agree whole heartedly on the emphasis placed on the MRI, my story and clinical exam should give them a clue.  Thanks Shell for bringing this up!!

Hugs, Pam

[Lulu54]

Too much emphasis is placed on the MRI and not enough on the story and clinical exam.

[Guitar_grrrl]

54.  Lesions on spine may not show up on MRI, but definitely will show up on neurological exam.  

[shoshin]

What most strikes me is that the more I learn about MS the less I seem to know and the more complicated everything becomes. Worse, there seem to be a great many things that no one knows. For example, no one knows what causes MS or exactly how it works.

The patient lit they hand you with a dx is hopelessly oversimplified. The four types of MS aren't based on biology but are a (less than unanimous) consensus of experts developed for sorting patients in clinical trials.

The autoimmune hypothesis is just that--a hypothesis. The immune system and the brain are both incredibly complicated. The safeguards built into the brain and nervous system to stabilize it after development really do a number on the possibilities for neural repair.

Since there's no biomarker for MS, there's no way to ever invincibly shake the doubt that maybe you have something else.

Great thread, Shell.

sho

[Eyesnlegs]

49) Never trust a medic!

oops do I still sound bitter :)

[kerrtelli]

48). That i am not invincible