my doctor diagnosed me with ms but the mri is negative, do I have it - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

daysma · 08-31-2008, 01:52 PM

My doctor diagnosed me with MS before I had the second MRI. The first one was 3 years ago and it seemed it was negative, according to a report my doc had recieved. Upon his further investigation, there was in fact 3 lesions noted. Not sure why they called that a negative MRI for MS. Now after a second MRI three years after the first, there are "multiple lesions noted"

So the diagnosis is confirmed. I dont know how to edit the title of this thread, so I am sorry if it is confusing.

daysma · 08-31-2008, 02:03 PM

I did have an MRI 3 years ago that showed 2 flares and some shading in the white matter.

I had another MRI done on Friday. I dont know the results yet, but I have every single symptom of MS except the bladder/bowel ones.

So I should modify my post, by saying the MRI was negative, I meant the one 3 years ago. But I am wondering if there is no lesions found on this one, is it possible I still have MS? My doctor and the neurologist he consulted with are both convinced I have it.

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated. I am scared of this diagnosis, but somehow relieved. I have thought I had become the worlds biggest clutz over the last 3 years. MANY falls, broken bones, complete loss of feeling in my legs, constant tingling and numbness in my arms and legs, tremors, blurred vision. The list goes on.

Thank you!!!!!!!

Nenu · 08-31-2008, 03:04 PM

You can still be diagnosed with MS with a negative MRI. What areas were included in your most recent MRI? Did it include the brain and spinal chord?

What other testing was completed to date? Was a lumbar puncture performed?

sunshine149 · 08-31-2008, 03:18 PM

I had a major flare-up in 1997 which involved being hosptialized. I had all the tests, including an MRI which was negative (brain, cervical and thorasic) and it remained that way for the next 1.5 years until some lesions appeared which made the MS-probable diagnosis a MS-definite diagnosis.

Bearygood · 08-31-2008, 03:35 PM

Hi, daysma. I'm going to correct some of your language here, not to be a smarty pants, but because it's important to know the lingo if you're going to be doing any research on this and it will give you a better understanding.

An MRI shows lesions,not "flares" (also known as exacerbations). However, if you are in a flare and have an MRI with contrast, it is very possible that they will "light up". What the lit lesions represent is disease activity. You can also have lesions light up without feeling that you are in a flare physically.

I'm not sure what you mean by shading, but by what you wrote your MRI showed 3 years ago, why do you say that it was normal?

As others have inferred, you can have MS and have normal MRIs. Disease activity is what causes lesions so that comes before the scarring -- and it can sometimes take a very, very long time for lesions to show up.