kwilson
08-09-2004, 02:09 PM
I had a brain and spine MRI with and without contrast 2 weeks ago. The report read that I have a 5x6mm lesion in the anterior horn lateral to the ventricle and intensity noted in the white matter of the left frontal lobe and in the right pons. It went on to say that the findings were inconclusive but could be caused by primary demylination and suspicious of MS. I have seen a neuro who said I could wait and have another MRI in 2 months or have an EMG and spinal tap. I opted to have the tests done as soon as possible as the waiting and and not knowing is very stressful. Has anyone had an MRI similar to mine and have it be nothing or is this typical of an MS finding? Any information at all would be appreciated.
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elecchic1022
08-09-2004, 03:49 PM
Hi Kwilson,
Welcome to the boards!
I am sorry, but my MRI results were different than yours. My lesion was in the brain stem, and extremely tiny, but sure knocked me on my butt!
I had a second MRI 6 months later, and the lesion was gone (not unusual), and no new lesions were found.
I also had the spinal tap, and there were elevated protein levels in my spinal fluid....a sign of MS. I am not sure what an EMG is. Is that the Evoked Potentials test?
I am diagnosed but I definitely know what your going through with all the waiting. My confirmed Dx came with my second flare up about 22 months after the first one. I am currently on Avonex, without any problems (other than flu-like symptoms). At least I can plan my sick day!
Here's hoping you get some answers soon. I'm sorry that I didn't have much to share with you on your question.
All the best,
Chrissy
Welcome to the boards!
I am sorry, but my MRI results were different than yours. My lesion was in the brain stem, and extremely tiny, but sure knocked me on my butt!
I had a second MRI 6 months later, and the lesion was gone (not unusual), and no new lesions were found.
I also had the spinal tap, and there were elevated protein levels in my spinal fluid....a sign of MS. I am not sure what an EMG is. Is that the Evoked Potentials test?
I am diagnosed but I definitely know what your going through with all the waiting. My confirmed Dx came with my second flare up about 22 months after the first one. I am currently on Avonex, without any problems (other than flu-like symptoms). At least I can plan my sick day!
Here's hoping you get some answers soon. I'm sorry that I didn't have much to share with you on your question.
All the best,
Chrissy
kwilson
08-09-2004, 04:04 PM
Hi Chrissy:
Thanks for your reply. The EMG is the Evoked Potential test, which I have this Wednesday. How many lesions did you have and where were they located? Mine are the right and left frontal brain lobe and the base of the brain that connects to the spintal cord. I am really dreading the spinal tap, but I would like a definite answer. How was the spinal tap? Is it as bad as I hear it is?
Thanks for your reply. The EMG is the Evoked Potential test, which I have this Wednesday. How many lesions did you have and where were they located? Mine are the right and left frontal brain lobe and the base of the brain that connects to the spintal cord. I am really dreading the spinal tap, but I would like a definite answer. How was the spinal tap? Is it as bad as I hear it is?
elecchic1022
08-09-2004, 04:18 PM
Hi again, Kwilson,
I only had the one lesion. It was in the base of the brain near the spinal cord.
The spinal tap wasn't too bad. They numb the area first. While he was doing the actual lumbar puncture, my left leg started jerking. I was afraid I might accidentally kick the nurse!
I did not get the bad headaches that people have talked about. I did everything they told me to do as far as laying flat on my back for (I think)24 hours. Sat up to eat or drink, and got up for the bathroom, then right back to bed or couch! I was a little tender for a few days, like when I bent over. It just felt like a pulling sensation with a little bit of pain. Nothing too bad.
Good luck with your tests!
I only had the one lesion. It was in the base of the brain near the spinal cord.
The spinal tap wasn't too bad. They numb the area first. While he was doing the actual lumbar puncture, my left leg started jerking. I was afraid I might accidentally kick the nurse!
I did not get the bad headaches that people have talked about. I did everything they told me to do as far as laying flat on my back for (I think)24 hours. Sat up to eat or drink, and got up for the bathroom, then right back to bed or couch! I was a little tender for a few days, like when I bent over. It just felt like a pulling sensation with a little bit of pain. Nothing too bad.
Good luck with your tests!
kwilson
08-09-2004, 06:41 PM
Thanks Chrissy. Can they tell what type of MS you have when they do these tests? I understand that there are 4 different types, basically a slow-progressive and a fast-progressive. Did they tell you what type you had after your tests?
Jewel2
08-09-2004, 07:15 PM
Hi Kwilson,
I'm sorry to hear that something showed up on your MRI. I think you are wise to go ahead with the other diagnostic tests.
There is not really any way to know about which type of MS you have until you get a little bit of a track record. That means regular documentation of symptoms and then MRI's that show the progress of the demyelination. And then it is a matter of a doctor interpreting the information. Basically, in relapsing remitting you will have a good period of time between attacks where your symptoms back off and you make a fairly good recovery, sometimes being left with a little deficit. In primary progressive you will not get that break between symptoms. The onslaught of problems is pretty consistent. How quickly they worsen varies from person to person. And then there is the secondary progressive that started as relapsing remitting, but then changes to a steady decline. So you can see why it just takes time to really figure out which one you're dealing with.
I hope you have a good neurologist who specializes in MS. Not all neurologists are able to effectively treat an MS patient as they have their various specialties within the field.
Good luck to you!
Julie
I'm sorry to hear that something showed up on your MRI. I think you are wise to go ahead with the other diagnostic tests.
There is not really any way to know about which type of MS you have until you get a little bit of a track record. That means regular documentation of symptoms and then MRI's that show the progress of the demyelination. And then it is a matter of a doctor interpreting the information. Basically, in relapsing remitting you will have a good period of time between attacks where your symptoms back off and you make a fairly good recovery, sometimes being left with a little deficit. In primary progressive you will not get that break between symptoms. The onslaught of problems is pretty consistent. How quickly they worsen varies from person to person. And then there is the secondary progressive that started as relapsing remitting, but then changes to a steady decline. So you can see why it just takes time to really figure out which one you're dealing with.
I hope you have a good neurologist who specializes in MS. Not all neurologists are able to effectively treat an MS patient as they have their various specialties within the field.
Good luck to you!
Julie
elecchic1022
08-09-2004, 08:04 PM
Hi Kwilson,
They never told me directly, but I figured it out after doing my own research. I have Relapsing Remitting MS. I almost fully recover from my attacks. I also read that Avonex, which I am on, is prescribed for MS patients who have RRMS.
They never told me directly, but I figured it out after doing my own research. I have Relapsing Remitting MS. I almost fully recover from my attacks. I also read that Avonex, which I am on, is prescribed for MS patients who have RRMS.
Jewel2
08-09-2004, 09:08 PM
I also read that Avonex, which I am on, is prescribed for MS patients who have RRMS.
Yes, that is true. The ABCR's are only used with RRMS, not progressive. It's a shame that your doctor didn't discuss this with you and left you to figure it out on your own. I'm glad to hear you make good recoveries.
:wave:
Julie
Yes, that is true. The ABCR's are only used with RRMS, not progressive. It's a shame that your doctor didn't discuss this with you and left you to figure it out on your own. I'm glad to hear you make good recoveries.
:wave:
Julie
kwilson
08-10-2004, 10:47 AM
Hi Julie:
Thank you for the information. You sound very knowledgable of the subject. Do you have MS?
Thank you for the information. You sound very knowledgable of the subject. Do you have MS?
Jewel2
08-10-2004, 11:57 AM
Hi K,
No, I don't have it myself. My mother and daughter do. My mother has a fairly mild case of RRMS. My daughter's case is moderately severe. The jury is still out on whether she is RR or progressive. If she was RR at the start, then she is probably secondary progressive now as she doesn't get much rebound between attacks and they seem to happen one on top of the other. She just had MRI's done from her brain to her L-spine. She will see her neurologist at the Mayo clinic next month.
So, I research continually for answers for her. I am her caregiver and her advocate. I go to appts. with her and help her make decisions, especially now that her cognitive abilities are affected. I try to share what I've learned with others, but there is still so much to learn!
Best wishes,
Julie
No, I don't have it myself. My mother and daughter do. My mother has a fairly mild case of RRMS. My daughter's case is moderately severe. The jury is still out on whether she is RR or progressive. If she was RR at the start, then she is probably secondary progressive now as she doesn't get much rebound between attacks and they seem to happen one on top of the other. She just had MRI's done from her brain to her L-spine. She will see her neurologist at the Mayo clinic next month.
So, I research continually for answers for her. I am her caregiver and her advocate. I go to appts. with her and help her make decisions, especially now that her cognitive abilities are affected. I try to share what I've learned with others, but there is still so much to learn!
Best wishes,
Julie
kwilson
08-10-2004, 12:06 PM
Julie:
Thank you for the information. I am sorry to hear about your daughter and your mom. I wish them the best and will remember them in my prayers.
Thank you for the information. I am sorry to hear about your daughter and your mom. I wish them the best and will remember them in my prayers.
nellie99
08-10-2004, 02:44 PM
Jewel2,
Your daughter is very lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your daughter is very lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!!!!!