I used to post here in 2014 when I was having investigations for MS. I had a full brain, neck and spinal MRI that showed 1 lesion I think it was and some small cysts. I was diagnosed with epilepsy due to seizures at this point. MS was discounted.
Fast forward to now. I recently have been having bladder issues. I went into acute retention in January which required an indwelling catheter for 12 days and now have been given intermittent catheters to use but I don’t need them all the time. A urology reg and surgical reg said MS could be a possible cause (along with a couple of other now discounted possibilities). I had some urodynamics testing and they’ve found my urine flow is very intermittent and can’t remember what else they said about it but possible dysfunctional sphincter dssynergia is written on the letter. Now I’ve googled and up comes MS again or spinal cord injury (which I don’t have). Whilst I was in retention I couldn’t concentrate on my work, I get words mixed up, poor short term memory, my arms keep going numb and I’m so tired again.
I rang my epilepsy nurse to see if it could be the meds, she spoke to my consultant and said no not the meds and MS unlikely as I had a normal MRI 3 years ago. Am I being silly worrying over MS again? Is it possible to have abnormal MRI and then go on to have an abnormal one?
I don’t think you’re overreacting. But you perhaps need to actually see your neurologist and get it from the horses mouth (so to speak). S/he must have some reason for not recommending another MRI. And if that’s the case, then you could do with hearing it direct.
Thanks for your reply. I’m seeing my neuro soon, due an appointment this month but they’re always busy so run behind. My consultant doesn’t know about the urodynamics results, I just spoke to them when I went into retention.
If I did have MS tho surely would have been picked up on that first scan? How often is it missed first time round and then picked up later?
It wouldn’t necessarily be picked up by scan one. Generally for MS to be diagnosed they have to see multiple lesions, either separated by time and/or place. This means either lesions in more than one place or appearing at a different time to the first. The problem often is that the first symptom may be so many years ago that the neurologist discounts it. This is why it’s surprising that your neuro doesn’t appear to want to do a new brain MRI.
So a good plan might be to write down everything that you think might be connected, with dates when something started and finished (if this applies). Was your urodynamics test done in the same hospital as you see your neurologist? I.e., will the test results already be on your notes? If not, get a copy of the results and take it with you to your neuro appointment.
Yeah the urodynamics is done in the same trust so she will be able to see the results when I see her. I will see what she says when I see her in person and will ask her at least to do a neuro exam. Thanks x