I read your answer in another discussion, where you said to ask for the 3T scanner. That's fabulous. I wish I had known that when I got my last MRI. I have three spots. They have done my spine twice that I know about and not found anything there. I have also read that leisions and symptoms don't always mean the same thing.
I appreciate that there are people here that have experience to answer questions for those of us who have no clue.
Much thanks!
Stay strong and healthy!
Peace,
Robin

Shannon,
OK, once you have a diagnosis of MS, what is the rationale for getting more MRIs? If you are getting worse, won't you know it, if better same question. Once Doctor puts you on one of the ABCR drugs, aren't you supposed to stick withit so... why more MRIs.

They don't do anything for your MS.
Larry

I was actually disappointed with my neuro that I would not get another MRI unless my MS gets clinically worse. I am on Copaxone right now, and I understand that I can only really truly tell if it is working as expected if changes can be seen on my MRI, not necessarily in how my symptoms are going, especially since I currently don't have many and symptoms are so variable. I don't know, I guess I would rather know ahead of time that I need another drug therapy before I have severe symptoms and not after.

I have had the experience where my doctor wanted to have MRIs done every year. That seems a little excessive to me. I was just wondering if they wanted to pay off the cost of the machines or if they wanted to use me for research. (Forgive me, I know I have gotten so cynical about doctors). I have chosen instead to get one every 5 years so far. Personally, I didn't find them to be all that useful. The first two were about the same and the last one was worse. Hopefully the next one looks better!

Ronnie,
Why every year or 5. What are you going to do if you have more lesions or less?

Remember there is NO correlation between number or location of lesions and disability.

If your therapy is working you'll know it, if not you'll know that too. What will MRI's tell you and what action will it prompt?
Larry

Yeah, good point. I specifically asked my neuro, "what if my MRI looks really bad?" He said he "would encourage me to go on another disease modifying drug." Then I asked him, "What if my MRI looks pretty good?" and he said, "I would encourage you to go on another disease modifying drug, because MRI doesn't always correlate directly with the level of disability." I have gotten the MRIs because my doctor was quite insistent about it and I was curious. It certainly is gives some indication of damage to my nervous system even if it doesn't correlate directly with level of disability. I would like to get one in the future just to see if the changes I am making in my lifestyle and diet are improving the looks of my MRI as much as they are improving my outward symptoms. Does that make sense? Are you saying that you think it is only good as a diagnostic tool and thereafter it is of no value? That is what I am wondering myself. I wonder why they are used so extensively for people with M.S. A friend of mine who was diagnosed with M.S., her neuro. wanted to do MRI's every 6 months!

i've only done the initial mri to rule out other possible causes of my optic neuritis in 2000 - so it did serve a purpose then.. i doubt i'll do another unless they give me a good reason

The neuro ordered the MRI with contrast and I am not quite sure why they didn't use it...but here's what the Radiologist reported....


C3-4 Minimal bulge of the annulus is seen without focal disc protrusion or significant neural foramina or central canal stenosis.


C4-5 Mild uncovertebral hypertrophy results in minimal foraminal stenosis.

C5-6 Mild narrowing of the intervertebral disc space is seen posteriorly. Mild uncovertebral hypertrophy contributes to mild left greater than right spinal stenosis.

C6-7 Low volume broad base disc osteophyte complex combines with mild uncovertebral hypertrophy to cause mild to moderate left and mild right sided spinal stenosis and central canal stenosis.


Mild straightening of the lumbsacral lordosis without vertebral body subluxation.

Low volume disc osteophyte complex C6-7 combining with uncovertebral hypertrophy to cause left greater than right foraminal stenosis and mild central canal stenosis.

No evidence of myelomalacia.

What in God's name does all this mean?

The neuro requested to rule out compression AND demylination but it is not noted no demylination seen.

What the heck.....?

Larry,
I am finding that most of your posts are very sinacle and not supportive. I get the feeling that you are dying inside, or somthing to that nature. MRI's are to keep track of it, see if its getting better or worse. If you think there pointless, than stop having them. You bring up some good thoughts, but every post I chose to watch, your the one that is answering and none of it is supportive. This web site is to support on another not constantly cut down people's thoughts. I'm not trying to be rude or even mean. I am just saying what I am reading. Others may agree or disagree.

Its not what is the point. The point is, is that you actively doing something for your health. It gives people an idea of what something they have no control of is doing to there body. In the old days they used to put suspected MS patients into a hot tub and watch them fall apart. That was the only way to diagnois. Now there is an MRI. All I am saying to all is do what you want, or what makes you feel better about your health. There is a point to all these test, there for a peice of mind. No your not a lab rat, your only a lab rat if choose to be. I have chosen to be one and it may work to my advantage as well as people in the future. After all there is a small chance that you can pass this on to your children and so on.

Shannon

mommacalledmegrace,
Well all that tells me is that you have severe back issues. You should see a sports medicine dr. You dont see dymylination in your spine you see lesions. Deymylination is only seen in the brain. Stenosis is the the narrowing of the nerves. Meaning pain. It's all back related, not MS.
Does this make sense?
Shannon

Shannon,
Sorry to sound so negative. I live fine with my MS. If I'm negative about anything medical it is our system of medical delivery (that is for the wealthiest nation in the world we still have the least affordable system of the Western Industrialized nations. Using expensive procedures that may not be essential just raises the cost of medical care for everybody.

If you think it is cynicle to believe that I can not be rid of this disease, I just think that is realistic.

A Physical Therapist told me when I said I couldn't do the treadmill "you don't do the treadmill, you can't walk anywhere". I took that to heart and now take the bus or walk everywhere (sometime 1 or more miles).

I don't believe it is cynical to question the need for multiple MRIs just like drugs I don't need. I think there are a number of people here who feel like they are doing something for their MS by getting yearly or biannual MRIs. I don't know that questioning it is cynacle (I did say as long as Insurance pays I'll take them.

Do you think it is cynical to question the need for MRIs subsequent having a diagnosis? I think there are some MS'ers who believe the MRI is doing something for them and that does anger me.
Larry

I apologize, if I sound cynical and not helpful. I have been concerned about coming across this way. I have been living with M.S. for over 15 years and I admit that I have become frustrated with the medical system in many ways. However, I do believe that we can find some solutions to significantly reduce our M.S. symptoms, even if it is not a cure. I have finally realized that I need to be my own best advocate. I find all kinds of fascinating information in medical research articles that have been helpful to me. The solutions may be different for each of us, but I am truly feeling better now than I have in over 15+ years after making some changes in my life. Am I cured? Not yet, and I realize that I could have another relapse at any time. But, if I do, I've made it through before and I will again. Hope for my future has been one of the best "treatments" I have gotten so far, and I wish that for every one here. I understand that others may disagree with my views/opinions, but I never mean to be unsupportive. I hope I haven't come across that way. I am going to keep searching with a critical eye. It is sad that "quick cures" are offered to take advantage of people who are suffering, but I also believe that some solutions may be with in our grasp. To me, if I keep on doing what I am doing, I am going to keep on getting what I am getting. If I don't like the results I am getting, I am going to move on. The medical system hasn't always been helpful to me, but in the discussions I have seen that many of the treatments have been very helpful and necessary for others. We are all just doing our best we can.

Well, on the script for the MRI on C Spine and T Spine - the neuro put rule out demylination.

That is why I questioned it.

Maybe she should know the difference and that could frightening in itself....