Brain & Spine Scan next week - Next steps?

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

Hi all,

I finally saw my neurologist for the first time around 3 weeks ago, and the advice I received here before having that appointment was really useful, so thank you to those who contributed to that thread.

I went armed with a long list of questions, she was really patient, listened to everything and my wife came along as well to back up what I was saying, certainly around speech and brain fog issues that she’s noticed herself.

I had the physical examination and she found the muscle stiffness in my right hand side and after receiving the letter the diagnosis of that visit was “inflammation of the central nervous system”.

So, MRI scans of my brain and cervical spine are next week, and she said it would take around 2 weeks to process those scans.

My question is (as I’m in limbo mode at the moment with no MS diagnosis), is what really happens next?

Do you get a letter/call/in person appointment with the results of the MRI? Do they appear in your NHS app?

I’m assuming if they do find lesions then the next thing is a lumbar puncture?

Any advice or help would be great, not what I really need before Christmas, but I’m pleased I’m being seen and being taken seriously.

The care from the NHS so far has been brilliant, from the GP, to physio, to local hospitals doing blood tests and scans to the “big” hospital up in Coventry where I’ve seen the neurologist.

Simon

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My experience of this stage is 25 years old, but back then they liked to give the definitive good news face-to-face. I feel sure that they still prefer this. Apart from anything else, many of us (me included) have spent a few weeks/months more-or-less having MS, but it’s not quite confirmed until this or that test is reported upon. So it’s not over until it’s over, and that formal confirmation is the decisive moment.

It is very good to hear that you have been well looked after through this grim process.

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Sometimes I wonder how they diagnosed multiple sclerosis before the invention of the MRI scanner and lumbar puncture? :brain:

I did hear b4 that when they did the sensory examination, they also used cotton wool to test feeling, it’s the blunt pinprick test nowadays.
You’re on the NHS radar now though so, it’s probably best to keep an open mind, wait for their findings and the proposed treatment plan.
Good luck,
JP

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Thank you, I’m hoping I’ll have some answers soon. Brain and cervical MRI is on Tuesday, so if I’m lucky I may get some clues before Christmas!

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Thanks JP, I’ve already braced myself for the worst, but I know it’s something I can live with and I’m ok with that.

But of course, the not knowing is the worst part.