i have recently had multiple episodes of left arm paralysis, can’t speak, numbness tingling face chest abdomen feet hands,etc diagnosed with b12 deficiency treated with injections. Have mri booked but only head, gp said she thinks it is ms (although b12 I know can mimic) I wondered if might save time to ask for spine to be included or if all neurological stuff inevitably shows up in brain? I have waited so long for scan I don’t want to have to go back again if they don’t find anything and I still have these symptoms.
I asked and it’s because the gp can’t ask for more than a head mri! She has now said to wait for the neuro appt and let them order what they think is best, so we will see. Gp apologised but understandable as she said she would not necessarily understand exactly what to ask for even if she could. So continue to wait for answers.
I must admit that that does sound a little odd that they won’t do a brain and spine as it doesn’t really tally my experience. I’m still undergoing formal diagnosis (although it’s either MS or something almost identical to MS) and so far I’ve had three MRI appointments on my brain and spine since December last year totalling 5 scans overall. These were all ordered by the Neurologists though rather than the GP.
I had just head first time which wasted a load of time and delayed my diagnosis. Interestingly nothing did show in my spine second time round, just my head. But I would insist as far as possible to have both. If you have any symptoms below the waist such as tingling feet, leg weakness etc then that is strong grounds to insist that they look at the spine too. But to be honest they should anyway! The only reason they don’t is funding (my Neuro told me that) and in my opinion that is one crap reason when it’s someone’s health at stake!
Good luck with whichever you have. Hope it goes well x