Vestibular Issues? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

cknmbbl · 08-26-2008, 11:01 AM

Hi, Everyone is so nice on this board. I wondered if you would mind answering another question. I was wondering if you know of anyone whos most prominent symptom was vestibular loss? I'm wondering with MS if you can have loss of balance without lesions showing on an MRI?
Thanks!
CK

MSJayhawk · 08-26-2008, 11:57 AM

In early stages you could have lesions failing to show up or the lesions might be too difficult to locate if they are spread apart. In the early stages MRIs may be run every 3 months or 6 months to determine a diagnosis and the progress of your particular MS.

Do not be dismayed if nothing is found in your initial MRI. You can still get a diagnosis and if it is really early, you might be able to adjust your life and avoid the stress triggers that can cause flare-ups.

cknmbbl · 08-26-2008, 01:27 PM

Thanks. I am having MRI's every 6 months. One of my neuro suggested a spinal tap. I am considering this. I would hate for this to be something that could be treated to some extent and not doing it. At the same time, I'm not comfortable throwing meds at something without knowing what we are throwing them at.
CK

Bearygood · 08-26-2008, 01:32 PM

Hi, cknmbbl. You can unfortunately have a multitude of sx without anything showing up on an MRI. In general, lesions can take a very long time to show up -- it's the disease activity that causes the lesions so that comes first. We've seen people who haven't found another reason for their sx for many, many years and and still suspect MS. There just hasn't been enough "evidence" for them to get a dx. For those people, it still might NOT be MS but they just haven't gotten answers in any regard.

Bearygood · 08-26-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cknmbbl

Thanks. I am having MRI's every 6 months. One of my neuro suggested a spinal tap. I am considering this. I would hate for this to be something that could be treated to some extent and not doing it. At the same time, I'm not comfortable throwing meds at something without knowing what we are throwing them at.
CK

Only very aggressive doctors will treat MS without having enough evidence meeting the McDonald criteria -- it does happen but it's still pretty rare. I didn't have to have an LP but if I was experiencing sx and felt an urgency to get a definitive dx so I could treat it with meds, I would have one. Just remember that not all people with MS will have a positive LP.