This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi all

In the FYI FWIW category, here's a link to a free full text article: Incidental demyelinating inflammatory lesions in asymptomatic patients: a Brazilian cohort with radiologically isolated syndrome and a critical review of the literature

Quoting from the intro to the article:


Take care all

Sharon

thanks, Shayk. I think it's pretty relevant.
interesting to note that these patients had normal neuro exams upon presentation with lesions. Now that MRI is more routinely utilized in migraine, depression, neurovascular disease diagnosis --we'll probably see more of this.

_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

So, my doctor initially told me that I have RIS. I had an MRI for a severe headache when my BP was high. It showed two active lesions. My subsequent tests were all negative EXCEPT for the lumbar puncture which was positive for the oligoclonal bands (I think that's what they were called). The only symptom that I experienced was mild vertigo about 2 weeks before that (who knows if this was my episode or not). At that time he said that there were different thoughts on treating people with RIS before the onset of symptoms. I was in a bit of denial, believe it or not, and decided not to do the meds at that time. When I followed up a year later, my MRI did not show any new lesions, and the old lesions were no longer active. Amazingly at that time, my neuro recommended that I start interferon therapy. Apparently the studies were leaning more toward treating. So I started out with Rebif, but felt too tied down with 3 shots a week. Have been on Avonex for about 6 months and have been very pleased.

I'm in a similar situation, Jenny. A doc ordered an MRI for a hearing problem and the radiologist came back with a report saying my brain looked like it had MS. My first instinct was denial, second to take vitamin D in case it isn't too late. I had to figure out on my own that this is called RIS and that less than half of us get MS within 5 years.

No action from the docs yet. I didn't think I had any symptoms but I am a bit unbalanced when walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night and I can get terrible vertigo when working under a car looking straight up. Doc said this was due to some stones in my balance channels and it did respond to the maneuver for getting those stones to settle down. I'm hoping to dodge the bullet and very thankful I didn't get MS when younger. I live in a very high risk area - northern Alberta. I'm 60 now.