MS negative test results

[quiltgal4]

Can there be a clear diagnosis of MS if there are no lesions showing on a brain MRI and a spinal tap that has a "clear" result from an MS indication? Symptoms were fatigue, dizziness, numbness/burning in right leg, tingling.
Thanks and would like a reply.

[quiltgal4]

Thanks for your comments. I had one friend who said she wondered if I would be able to go to a new doctor and start fresh if there would be the same diagnosis. I probably won't but I have to say I have thought about it for years.

[quiltgal4]

Thank you for your comments. Since my diagnosis in 1998, I my MRI's have 2 very small lesions in my C-spine but also show herniated disks and the beginning of a disk that is slipping. Because I also have a more severe slipping disk in my S1-L5 joint that is going to be fixed, the surgeon said that also fixing my cervical may help with recent weakness that I started having with my right arm . The lesions that were initially found in 98, have never shown to be active nor have they changed size. Yes I had an evoked potential and it was normal. I have been diagnosed with relapse remitting and 5 attacks of fatigue and some dizziness over all these years. I also know that as I have research c-spine issues and symptoms that I am having, I wonder if my symptoms have been from what is going on with my neck and not with MS. I went to 3 neurologists in 98 and the first 2 said I didn't have MS so I have never been 100% sure of the diagnosis. So when my spine doctor suggests that surgery in my cervical spine may help, I wonder if I should and IF anyone with MS has ever had surgery on areas on the spine that have lesions. I hope my rambling has made sense and I would appreciate your opinions.

[coach291]

Have you had a visual evoked potential test yet? My MRI and spinal tap came up clear when I first was diagnosed. My EVP test along with my symptoms and attacks got me a diagnoses of MS and I am currently on my 3rd different type shot (avonex) in 3 years.

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

If you look to the right of your screen, we have a health page that might help to explain this possibility, its called "How Can a Person with MS Have a Negative MRI?".

Although if your asking if you still could be dx with just your sx's, then I actually think that today, it would be highly unlikely to get a dx of MS even with strong clinical signs of neurological causations, without the MRI to confirm there are lesions in at least 2 known MS locations (see Mcdonald Criteria) for the most common form of RRMS. It would be more likely for them to be given a classification of possible or probable MS and be in a 'wait and see' mode until more diagnostic evidence shws up to confirm or a different condition comes to light.

MS has many mimics, the sx's you've mentioned are common for people with MS but they are also common to many other conditions and with a clear MRI, clear LP, your age group etc it 'could' indicate MS is not as likely to be the cause, over the other possibilities that may not of been looked into yet.  

I hope i've in some way, answered your question :o)

Cheers...........JJ