Jenn100

Hi Naomi,
I can understand your confusion and frustration. I had my first MRI, with and without contrast, this past May because I was experiencing tingling(pins and needles) in my left leg and arm. I also had blurred vision. My MRI showed llesions consistent with the demyelinating process found in MS. All my other neuro. exams were normal. I'm 41 years old and have never had any past symptoms that would suggest MS. After my MRI at the ER, I was given the diagnosis of MS from the radiologist who performed the MRI. I was shocked of course. The next week I went to have an MRI of the Thoracic Spine. These came back normal. I was relieved of that! The Neurologist that was treating me said I needed a lumbar puncture to put the entire picture together. I had the lumbar and they found no mylein protein in the fluids but did find two gamma restriction bands. My blurred vision and other symptoms continued. I had had 2 lyme tests come back negative. On the advice of a friend who had seen a Lyme Literate MD, I made an appointment and had blood work that was send to a lab in California. My tests came back positive for a co-infection of Lyme called Babesiosis and many bands of lyme disease. The LLMD told me that Lyme disease left untreated for a long time, such as time (over 18 months) can produce lesions in the brain that are consistent with MS. I began treatment for the lyme infections first week in June. My vision returned to normal after a few weeks on antibiotics. The reason I am telling you this is that I never knew that there are other reasons other than MS that might produce lesions in the brain. It is important to get the entire picture, do the lumbar, and the other MRIs. I had visual field tests that showed that my vision was blurred due to inflammation and not permanent damage. I will be getting another opinion from another Neurologist next week. Most traditional Neurologists that I have seen want me to start treatment for MS. The LLMD that I am seeing says that if I start the MS medication this will suppress my immune system and he has boosted it up with supplements and vitamins to fight the lyme disease. I must admit I feel much better, but I hate having this "probable MS diagnosis hanging over my head. I would suggest getting another opinion from at least two Neurologists, if your insurance covers it. Also I found that getting copies of all your reports and MRI films is essential. These records belong to you and you should have them in your possession so that you can bring them to other doctors. Do you have other symptoms of MS other than the MRI, speech problems, motor skills problems, depression, etc. I have found these boards to be of tremendous help. Best of luck to you!