Can MS be diagnosed with only an MRI?

[720L]

Does anyone know if MS can be diagnosed with only an MRI? I have a friend who has been having numbness in her face for over a month, now her vision in 1 eye is blurry. THey are giving her an MRI, thinking maybe it's MS.

 

[JustineMarie]

I am going through this right now. The answer actually differs with different doctors but yes, it can be diagnosed with only an mri. They usually do a spinal tap, too, but that is not always the case. They will rule out all other disease's that it could be, like Lymes. Some times they won't officially diagnosed you with MS unless you have more than one "episode". I've had one episode so far and I am not officially classified as MS. I do have one lesion on my brain, and I go for my 6th mri in Oct. My neuro said that if I have one more lesion on my brain by then that he will start the treatments for ms. I'm sorry your friend is going through this. It is very scary. I will pray for her.

 

[daisax]

Did she by any chance have dental work done right before the initial onset? I actually know two separate people with facial paralysis/nerve pain who got it as a result of dental procedures (most likely caused by some kind of mouth virus carried through by the needle down into their nerve during the novocaine injection)

The weird thing is that these people are completely unrelated in every other way and I've never heard of that happening before, and yet now I know TWO people dealing with it for close to a year now.

 

[mommasita]

It can be, but as the previous poster mentioned, neurologists usually label it as MS with more than one episode on one or more parts of the body. (that don't relate)

An MRI is definitely a great diagnostic tool in helping with the diagnosis. I do hope they have a great Neurologist, someone who may specialize, as this is half the battle IMHO.

 

[720L]

I just heard she was told she has MS...but she was crying and ran into the house...so we know nothing more. She is single and I am so scared for her, I don't know what to do to help her. I don't know if they told her MAYBE she has it, and she over-reacted. Please pray for her. I am just sick.

No I don't think she had any dental work done before she noticed the numbness. I think she mentioned it to her dentist, and they blew it off.

 

[JustineMarie]

I would tell her to make sure she gets a second opinion from a MS specialist. Alot of the time people are misdiagnosed. Lyme's disease has a lot of the exact same symptoms as MS but has to be treated differently. Also, make sure you tell her that MS isn't a death sentence. She can live a fairly normal life, just with some limitations.

If she hasn't had it already, I would suggest she ask her doctor for IV solumedural, as that will help lessen the inflammation and can help save her eyesight from being damaged any further. There is also a really great message board, you can give to her. Google MS world forums. They have some great people over there that will help answer any questions she may have.

 

[DebIreland]

I just heard she was told she has MS...

I'm sorry to hear that.

My Dad had MS though his was quite progressed when it was diagnosed. It can take many years for it to become debilitating. I know that's not much comfort now but, with the aid of modern drugs, the degeneration can be slowed way down. For example, my mother's best friend has MS and although she was diagnosed 16 years ago it's only this year she's finding it difficult. Physio helps her a lot.

Good luck. I'm glad to has a friend like you to help her.

 

[720L]

Thank you JustineMarie ! I'm sure she'll get a second opinion, I'll make her get a second opinion. I realize it's not a death sentence, I have 2 cousins with MS who are living normal lives. But she's got to be scared, and the fact that she is alone has got to make it harder. Any suggestions on what to say to her? I'm thinking of offering to spend the night at her house tonight so she doesn't have to be alone. Thanks for the website.

 

[LuvOrlando]

THis water is murky because I have the same symptoms AND 2 plaque spots on my brain and was diagnosed with migraine (MRI). If this friend has never been diagnosed with anything before I'd get a 2nd & 3rd opinion before starting down any medicinal road. Good luck

 

[720L]

Her Mom just called me and said they were positive it is MS, there are lesions on the brain. She already got an IV of steriods or something, has to go in the rest of the week for steroids. I'm going to see her tonight, I don't know if she'll answer the door though.

 

[Pig Pen]

My daughter is in a research study because she has all the symptoms of MS but no lesions. They have not diagnosed her with MS yet, nor is she being treated for it, but she does have optic neuritis, muscle weakness and numbness which comes and goes ("episodes") and some other indicators. They are tracking her as it is rare to see someone with all these symptoms and no lesions.

On the other hand, they just decided to test her for myasthenia gravis which is a type of auto-immune disease which has lots of similar symptoms. She has been going through various testing for about 3 years now.

 

[HOGFAN]

Lesions alone dont diagnose MS. I use to do MRIs and have 2 lesions myself. A radiologist I work with who read mine told me that alot of people have lesions with no symptoms, could have been there for YEARS. As long as they dont become more numerous, enlarge, or couple with symptoms, dont worry too much about them.

done with my psa.

 

[Mickey527]

My brother has chronic progressive MS. His was found when he went to the eye Dr for an exam because he was seeing double. The eye Dr told him to go to his regular Dr for a check up. The eye Dr had called the general physician to let him know that he had seen lesions in my brother's eye.
He was 32 when he was diagnosed. He is now 53 and completly bedridden, and can only move his head a little. Not everyone gets chronic progressive however.
I also have a friend who is a nurse. She has exacerbations and then goes into remission. Her symptoms last about a week where she has problems walking and holding onto things. Then she recuperates and she can function normally. She has been working as a nurse since she was 24 and she is 62 now. She was diagnosed at 27. She had an MRI and placques were found.
I also have a friend who was showing MS symptoms, blurred vision, difficulty walking, numbness, confusion. All the classic symptoms of MS. His MRI was negative but when they did a spinal tap they found severe Lyme Disease. He has been on IV antibiotics for almost a year now but his symptoms continue. His insurance is fighting the antibiotics now, they don't want to pay for them anymore.
I would make sure she finds a neurologist who is well versed on MS symptoms and treatments.
There are a few injections that are given once a week and work well to slow symptoms. My brother was on some of these but they didn't work for his, but my friend has seen great improvement since they were discovered.
Here's hoping your friend can accept and work to lessen her symptoms. MS as many other diseases, gets worse when the person doesn't do what they can to fight it, with meds, and/or better nutrition.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

My MS was diagnosed by an MRI. My symptom was that half of my face and tongue went numb. Gradually over the course of about six weeks it faded away.
Saw the eye doctor and my eyes are fine (thank goodness).
Refused to do any meds as I am trying to get pregnant.
Had another MRI done in May (6 months after my diagnosis) and there are no changes which is good. I have another MRI scheduled in May 2010.

When I was first diagnosed I freaked thinking I would be in a wheelchair in no time. Now my attitude has changed and I don't think about the future and the what ifs. MS is different for everybody. For me right now it means I am tired and I get the occasional pins and needles. My husband couldn't be more supportive and I know he worries when I am exhausted.

Only close friends and family know and for now I am keeping it that way.

I am sorry your friend has been diagnosed with something so scary. Please keep us posted on how she is doing.

 

[720L]

She has RR MS. I haven't done any research yet. Her eyesight is getting better. She will start MS meds (3 times a week) next week. Any info on this type of MS I would appreciate from you guys. She has multiple lesions and plaque.

 

[Deb in IA]

My MS was diagnosed by an MRI.

Kiki, you have my best wishes for a benign course and a good outcome. As you know, there are varing degress that this disease affects you. My dental hygienist has it, and is able to continue to assist the dentist with very fine, detailed work, including putting in my crowns just last week, so it is possible to live a fairly normal life with MS.

I really don't mean to pick on you, and I realize that it may be just semantics, but really, the MRI didn't "diagnose" you.

You were probably diagnosed by a physician, most commonly a neurologist, who used information from many sources, including your medical history, clinical examination, laboratory tests including the MRI and his fund of knowledge from his education and training to diagnose your condition.

 

[HunnyPots]

I had an MRI that proved I didn't have MS but instead had suffered a stroke. My symptoms were very much the same. I was told by the neurologist that an MRI would only be conclusive proof of MS if I was having a flare up at the time of the test because the lesions on the brain will come and go.

 

[crazee4mickey]

My brother was diagnosed with MS just a couple of months away from his 30th birthday and it was done with an MRI. He has had MS for just over 3 years now.

I remember the doctor initially telling him they thought it was a non-cancerous tumor on his tailbone causing the numbness and he was so happy to think he might have a tumor and not MS--but the MRI confirmed his worst fears---he was devestated (as was our family).

The good news is he is on a trial drug called tesoborin (no idea how to spell it) and he was a good candidate because his MS was moderate and hadn't progressed too far.

He has been on it for about a year and for the first 3/4 of this time he debated going off it because he always felt crummy after his treatment but he stuck with it. Finally has his treatment and feels good afterwards and is able to do things like he used to!

Got called into doctor after his last MRI--he was very worried but the news was so positive!

The drug has stopped any new lesions from starting and the lesions he did have, have actually become smaller!

 

[720L]

Just bumping this up in case anyone else has any other info/advice....

 

[kath2me]

720L,

The best help you can give your friend, is to make sure they take care of themselves, take their meds, try to avoid stressful situations and get rest whenever they can.

I was diagnosed thru MRI and process of ruling out other possible conditions. I have some walking issues, I won't deny its a struggle many times, but have learned to deal with it. Very grateful to my DH, a very big help to me. My brother also has MS and doesn't take care of himself , medicine or anything, he has progressed some, but is still getting around, we were both diagnosed at 50 , so think I had it, but just didn't want to think it could be a more serious than a back issue. Oh well, I take a daily shot of copaxone and so far " knock on wood ", hasn't gotten any worse, pretty much the same as when first diagnosed.

My thoughts and prayers go to your friend, they will be fine and they have a real good friend.