Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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MelissaJo 01/31/2008

So, i had my first appointment with a neurologist this week. a resident checked me out at the clinic (MS clinic) and did all of the reflex testing, and whatnot. the neurologist came in and talked to me about how i've been feeling and what was going on. he took a look at my MRI and told me that there were a couple of lesions on my brain.

this is the part that was confusing for me. they want to do another MRI before giving me the 'real' diagnosis of MS. i mean, i understand there is a small chance this could be isolated clinical syndrome, but has anyone ever had two MRIs before treatment? From what i've read, all you need for the diagnosis and to start treatment is some sort of symptom and visible leasions on the MRI. so, i'm a little confused as to why i need another one.

has anyone had this before? i mean, i'd be more than willing to avoid expensive treatment if i can, but it feels like a bit of a waste of time.

deleted_user 01/31/2008

I have...6 months after my first MRI I had to have another one. Then they offically diagnosed me. They wanted to see if there was going to be any significant changes...guess there was! Good luck, did they give you a date for the next one?

deleted_user 01/31/2008

It may depend on what kind of mri you had. In my case they did a head only mri ...my neuro appointment is next week and I fully expect they will want to do another one that will include the spine before I get any diagnosis. I'm with you though why not do it right the first time!

TexasMS 01/31/2008

Doing another MRI before starting any meds makes no sense to me; maybe he wants to do one with contrast to see if you have an active lesion to maybe put you on steroids. As for clinically Isolated Syndrome, all that is basically is what they diagnose you with before you have two separate flairs, 80% of people that are given the CIS diagnoses go on to have a MS diagnosis, I started on Avonex with a Clinically Isolated Syndrome diagnosis. But it should, according to the McDonald Criteria, be a second exasperation that is needed for a MS diagnosis from a CIS diagnosis, not another MRI. Hope this helps

deleted_user 01/31/2008

I had three mris before they diagnosised me. If you read about the McDonald Criteria, it kinda gives you an idea as why doctors are saying what they are saying in the process of getting the diagnosis. My doctor at first said that my MRi indicated that it was consistant with MS and showed 7 old (non-active) lesions but I needed 9 to have the clinical diagnosis. I was confused and didn't really understand so I found out about the McDonald criteria and it helped me get a better understanding. Not all doctors adhere to these criteria strictly and will diagnosis a patient early in order to start them on the drugs if they feel there's good clinical proof to the diagnosis...so I have been told.

Here's a link http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516519

TexasMS 01/31/2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald_criteria

deleted_user 01/31/2008

Did you have the MRI with "contrast" that is with dye? If not that could be the reason they want another one completed.

I am scheduled for 2/6 with one of my brain and a complete one of my spine. The dr. thinks I have developed lesion(s) in my spine now. But they are giving me an "OPEN" MRI because the last one I freaked out in it, tho' I have 3 or 4 other MRI's on my brain. About 6 mos. ago a "back" dr. did one on my back because I was (and still am) in so much trouble with my back. But the neuro thinks it is the MS. I am going to take a bottle of valium before hand...LOL!! Well ok only 1 pill before hand.

Good luck on your next one.

Lindalu

deleted_user 01/31/2008

I had two MRI"s before I was diagnosed. The first MRI was done at the local hospital (small hospital) and when I went to the MS specialist at UNC Chapel Hill they wanted me to do another one because they had newer state of the art equipment that whould show better imaging.

MelissaJo 01/31/2008

Thanks everyone for the responses and links! it's been helpful!

the first one was just an mri of my head, and that's all the second one will be, but i know they are using the dye this time. so, we'll see what happens. i was told i may have to wait another two months for it.

deleted_user 01/31/2008

oh they gave me such a hard time to diagnose me. Not trying to scare you hun sorry but i had my first MRI then a spinal tap then another mri and then BAM! they diagnosed me...If it were up to me they would've started treatment after the first mri

deleted_user 02/01/2008

My doc said that what was in my brain looked like MS, but could be something else, therefore he wanted two of the parts of the spine. Activity in my back was almost certainly MS, therefore diagnosis without Lumbar puncture...

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