Help! - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MichelleRose · 02-15-2005, 04:31 PM

HEY GUYS I NEED INFO. AND QUICKLY! MY NEUROLOGIST HAS REFERRED ME TO A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST TO HAVE A "MMPI" TEST? I AM HAVING MEMORY LOSS. HAS ANYONE TAKEN THIS TEST OR HEARD OF IT? ALSO I HAD AN MRI AND HE SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING ON THE SURFACE OF THE BRAIN, BUT THEY MIGHT BE READING MORE INTO IT THAN IT REALLY IS SO HE WANTS TO DO A LUMBAR PUNCTURE, DOES THIS HURT? HOW IS IT DONE? I ALSO HAD BLOOD WORK DRAWN CHECKING FOR LUPUS OR ANTIBODIES IN THE BLOOD AND ALSO HOW QUICKLY THE BLOOD CLOTS? ANYONE ONE HAD THESE DONE ALSO? THANKS FOR ANY INFO.

NERVOUS NELLY MICHELLE!

SuzU · 02-15-2005, 05:05 PM

Hi Michele,
I can't speak for the "MMPI" test, but I had a spinal tap just a few weeks ago and it wasn't bad.
In my case, it was done under fluoroscopy which meant I was lying on my stomach and it took longer for the spinal fluid to drain out...( I also had to bear down and push to get it out, but others have said this is an unusal experience because my radiologist made a very small opening.)
The most painful part for me was the FIRST injection which stung a little-that's when the radiologist numbs the area where the needle will be inserted. After that, they insert the spinal needle and for me, this wasn't terrible, a little uncomfortable.
Afterwards though, you have to lie flat for several hours, so plan on being bored and catching up on your favorite daytime drama, lol.
Blessings, and keep us posted.

MichelleRose · 02-15-2005, 05:09 PM

Thank you so much for the info. Have you found out anything yet? I hope all goes well for you! Once again thank you so much for the quick response and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Michelle

SuzU · 02-15-2005, 06:47 PM

It's funny that you should ask. My spinal tap and brain mri came out negative, as did my somatosensory evoked potentials.
The cervical spine mri is showing a rather controversial lesion-three neurologists say it is an incidental finding-probably a syrinx, but one other neurologist and a neurosurgeon have said it may be atypical MS.
I, like you am getting blood clotting studies done because I have a petechiae rash all over my body.
So-welcome to limboland. Hope we don't have to stay here for too long.

MichelleRose · 02-16-2005, 02:36 AM

I hope we aren't here long either. They say MS and other neuromuscular disease are very hard to dx because they mimic each other in symptoms. Wouldn't be nice to wake one morning and learn that it was all just a dream we were all in together! Wishful thinking on my part! Keep in touch and keep the faith. We are all in this together.

Michelle