difference in pituitary gland test & full brain scan - Pituitary Disease Message Board

shellyj · 11-16-2007, 02:09 PM

Hello all,
I've enjoyed reading the post here for quite a while. I have currently been dx with nothing, but I suspect MS. The reason my neuro doesn't think I have MS at this time is because my pc ordered a test on my pituitary gland. They just keep saying my scan looks fine. Is there a difference in the tests? FYI, I've had every kind of blood test you can imagine. I also had an EMG & NC- those came back fine as well. Thank each of you so much.

Bearygood · 11-16-2007, 02:42 PM

Hi, Shelly. When you say "test", do you mean MRI? If so, I can tell you from my own personal experience that a pitituary study will include certain pictures/angles but not all of the brain. My first brain MRI was ordered as a pituitary study and although lesions WERE found, I had to go back in the tube for a full brain scan when it was determined I had MS and additional lesions were found. I do know that a pituitary study is not thorough but the question is, will it contain enough information to dismiss the presence of lesions! I suspect not but I can't be absolutely sure. Also, just because no lesions are present does not mean that MS is not a possibility.

shellyj · 11-16-2007, 02:56 PM

Thank you. I didn't think so. I'd like to give a run down of what I have been going through & hopefully get some advice.

End of August started have arm pain (both-dull ache). Sept. 16 back started hurting as well. Went to ER thinking heart attack. 3 days later legs started hurting (dull ache). PC said it was anxiety & gave me lexapro & xanax. 1 week later I started getting pins & needles in patches all over my body. Then burning from inside out. My right arm & left leg were so weak. PC then said I needed to see phyc if they continued. The only test he ordered was a CAT to see if I had a clot in my lung. I changed PC & he order MRI to test pituitary & did loads of blood work. I made app. with neuro & he just did the EMG & NC. All test came back fine. My sx improved w/o lexapro or xanax around Oct. 21. They aren't gone...but not near as bad. I am having a problem with fatigue & concentration as well. Anyway, am I nuts? I really don't think it is stress or depression. Thanks ahead of time for any help. I really appreciate it.

shellyj · 11-16-2007, 02:58 PM

PS-
I also have heavy limbs (more at night when lying down), muscle spasms, twitching (people have noticed) & right eye pain. Again thanks!

Bearygood · 11-16-2007, 03:09 PM

Not sure what an NC is...? At any rate, it really doesn't sound like you had any tests to try to determine MS, only things that help rule it out and I'm going to guess that those tests haven't been thorough, either! (MS is to a large extent determined by excluding other things though.) The things you're experiencing could certainly be sx of MS but not MS alone.

You usually start with a full blood panel which should include Lyme (the blood should be sent to a GOOD lab, preferable IGeneX) and B12, etc. -- (you'd be amazed at how many doctors don't test for B12 automatically). For the MRI, brain is usually ordered first but some doctors do order a brain and c-spine simultaneously (lesions are most frequently found on the brain but can be found on the c-spine and t-spine as well). Other tests include Evoked Potentials and an LP (spinal tap) -- for me, enough was found by doing the MRIs and well, I had an eye condition that CAN be caused by other things but is very closely associated with MS.

How long have you been experiencing pain in your right eye? Can you describe it?