Spinal fluid clear? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

RenInKy · 11-21-2007, 02:46 PM

Hello,
Since September I've had MRI's, blood work, etc to see why I have numbness on right arm, hand, fingers, and occassionally my face goes numb for several days at a time.
I had a lumbar puncture yesterday, they said 2 weeks for the results come back from Mayo Clinic. The nurse showed me the fluid and it was clear. She said that is what we want.
My question is: Does clear fluid mean good chance of not being MS or just means there's not blood, infection, etc to worry about?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Ren

MSJayhawk · 11-21-2007, 02:57 PM

Clear is the normal outside appearance. This is good. If there was a color or blood, then something serious could be happening. NOW, clear is good, but it is the count under the microscope that matters, BUT (REPEAT BUT MANY TIMES!) an LP in 10-15% of cases of MS patients is negative for MS.

Sooooooo, Clear is good for step one!

RenInKy · 11-21-2007, 03:05 PM

Thank you so much for explaining this to me. I feel I'm suffering from information overload. I want to research these things, but so many areas.