Hi all, just a quick one.
I have been sent a letter from an MS Specialist Nurse saying neurology have asked her to make an appointment with me.
I am awaiting a lumbar puncture next week and won’t get a follow up until the end of August.
Is this normal procedure to get an appointment with an MS Nurse before any diagnosis and without neurology saying this would be happening? Unsure if I’m concerned and overthinking or if this means they’re pretty sure I have MS and just need the lumbar puncture as security for them / definite evidence.
Thank you!
Hi there,
The LP is a means of finding out if you have multiple sclerosis, we MSers have a higher T-cell count than normal, in our spinal fluid.
JP
I do not know, and if you’re concerned, maybe you could arrange a phone chat or email exchange with the nurse to ask?
For what it’s worth (which isn’t much because every case is individual) my own lumber puncture was done mainly to confirm an already reasonably secure diagnosis of MS.
I was given access to my MS nurse 3 years before formal diagnosis.
After my first MRI found multiple lesions in my brain and a couple on my c spine and with my symptoms my Neuro was convinced it was MS.
He thought I had MS for a long time.
My LP couldn’t confirm diagnosis so it was a case of watch and wait with annual MRI and appointments with my Neurologist and MS nurse during this 3 year period.
3 years later a new lesion appeared on my brain and I was formally diagnosed.
My feeling is they probably suspect you have MS , although it can be very difficult to diagnose.
Speak to the nurse they will become your main point of contact and will manage your symptoms if necessary.
Good luck.
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