Hi all, this is my first post here. After experiencing numbness in my legs arm and left torso for two weeks and having had a bout of optic neuritis 5 years ago, I had a spinal MRI done and the following are the findings: ‘Contrast MR imaging of cervicodorsal spine reveals focal altered signal intensity patches with mild cord expansion are seen at C2 level, C5-C6 level, C7-D1 level involving both central white matter and peripheral grey matter. Faint post contrast enhancement is seen at C5/6 level. Feature suggestive of demyelinating disease, likely multiple sclerosis.’ So can I take this as confirmation of MS?
Hello Sahibpreet
Welcome to the forum.
I’m afraid you can’t take it as a firm diagnosis, not until you see the neurologist and he/she actually informs you.
Have you ever had a brain scan…that’s what I would be requesting next. Perhaps your neuro will suggest this at your next appointment.
The scan shows that you definitely have lesions on your spine and highly possible that it could be MS. I know its stressful but hopefully you won’t have long to wait for your follow up appointment with neuro.
Have you had this numbness in your body before? Feel free to share any worries. There are plenty of great people on here, happy to offer support. I was diagnosed last august, this forum has been a great support to me.
Take care
Hi blossom, thank you for your input. I had an MRI of the brain when I had my Optical Neuritis in 08-09, and back then it came back normal. My numbness only started two weeks ago and all this has been very sudden. My sister has been battling with MS since 2000 and I am worried that before this I was a healthy 25 year old male at the start of his career, it will ruin everything that I had aimed for in my life. I can still walk and run, do push-ups and stuff, and my reflexes are normal. I have never had numbness before this but I used to have pain in my legs which subsided through pregabalin medication. Since I’m very new to all this, could the lesions be anything but MS?
Hi sahibpreet I wouldn’t take that a confirmation until the neurology specialised confirms a diagnosis face to face. A follow up will probably be arranged to discuss your results and where you go for here. Like you I was told likely MS, probable MS but was first diagnosed with Clinical isolated syndrome as it was first episode. I had positive brain and spine MRI aswell as positive lumber puncture. So as Blossom has suggested they may do some more test to be 100% sure it’s MS. I had a repeat MRI 2 months later and based on the changes on that I was diagnosed with MS. Welcome to the forum, it’s a great place to get support and speak to others going through the same as you. Take care Polly x
Hello again
Its about six years ago since your last scan. My guess is, its time to have another, considering results of your recent spinal scan.
You ask if the lesions could be caused by something else. The simple answer is yes. Don’t ask me to list them because I’m not going to and don’t go on mr google either because you will just scare yoursef silly
If it turns out to be MS, You may have a mild form…you don’t know. We are all unique with our MS…yours would not be the same as your sisters.
The fact that you keep fit is excellent, you should keep that going.
Like I said before, its not a definite diagnosis until the neuro confirms. Just wait until you get your appointment.
Take care
Noreen
So a brain MRI and a few other tests were done, and I have been told that I have MS. They have found multiple lesions and my brain and I have been told about interferon therapy. The last attack I had was 6 years ago and I am relatively ok now so he says that relapses can continue to be less aggressive and less frequent. This has been a big blow to my life and I have no clue what to do.
Hello
Have you just had a brain scan in the last couple of days…that was fast work have you been told what type?
Is it relapsing remitting? You should also have the support of an ms nurse.
I hope your family are giving you plenty of support.
take care
Noreen x
Yes I have been in hospital for the past couple of day’s. It’s RRMS, and my family are reacting in a very weird way. They’re telling me that I should continue with the interferon and I will be fine for years. By then there will be a cure or very advanced treatment. They’re asking me to get out of it. For ek personally, it’s devastating.
It sounds like your family are in shock, as I’m sure you are too…its a lot to take in. Is your sister RRMS?
Hopefully things will settle down in time. Like I mentioned in my last message, you should have contact with the ms nurse. Speak to your gp about it.
My ms is primary progressive, so I’m not on DMDs. Hopefully, some of the guys on here who are RRMS will share their experiences with you.
I hope your symptoms settle for you and the medication helps.
Take care
Noreen