This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Did anyone not have any lesions show up on their first mri and no o bands in their first LP, but have them show up later?

The reason I am asking is because I started have very mild neurological symptoms (lhermitte's sign & prickly sensations on my face) and dizziness in Dec. of last year. I went and had an MRI of my brain and spine with out contrast about 2 weeks after the symptoms started. No lesions show up. Then I had a LP about a month ago come up negative as well. As of a few weeks ago my toes have been feeling tingly and as of last night both big toes have went numb (the left one first followed a few hours later by the right one). I have been tested for diabetes because of the tingling and numbness in my toes, but those tests also came back negative.

I am wondering if I could have MS and it was just too early to tell when I had my initial tests done.

was your MRI on brain and spine? generally something should show - i believe anyway

they initially thought I had a concussion as I only had dizziness slurred speech and disorientation, I had lesions on my brain second mri showed none were active with contrast, third mri on spine after second relapse new symptoms pins and needles showed further lesions on spinal cord. i've had an LP but was diagnosed before I got the results back from this and never found out what the result was.

popjinx – My personal story: there were no lesions on my first THREE MRIs; after a year of testing lesions were found on my fourth MRI. There are other members here with similar experiences. In fact, one member (gwa) has had MS symptoms and diagnosis for years, but has NEVER had lesions appear on her MRIs!

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My hypothesis: excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia) plays a major role in MS, as developed in my initial post: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-discussion-f1/topic1878.html "Insulin – Could This Be the Key?"

Yes, I had an mri of my brain and spine, but both were with out contrast. I was reading that new lesions might not show up with out contrast on an mri, so I am going to ask my neuro to give me another mri with contrast this time. However, I really don't want to talk to the man again because he condescendingly told me at my last appointment that "I believe that you believe that these things are happening" when referencing my symptoms. It was like he was saying that he thinks I am a nut job that is making this stuff up.

Anyway, thank you for letting me know that it is possible for nothing to show up the first time you are tested.

Contrast will not show any more or different lesions than the 'regular' scan. Active (i.e., currently inflamed) lesions just appear brighter when they add the contrast.

Also, about 5% of people with MS do not show any lesions on MRI.

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RRMS dx 3/3/11; Copaxone since 12/1/11

13 years worth of symptoms and MRI's (14 Brain in total, 1 spine) "no significant lesions" (had 2 tiny lesions show up after 10 years that were written off), first 2 LP's negative.

Big relapse in 09 and brain MRI now had 8 lesions and LP positive (plus a lesion in my spine) Got diagnosed finally.

My aunt had MS so I was 99% sure I had MS.

You are not a nut job, don't let the dr make you feel that way. You know your body better than anyone and if everything else has been ruled out stick to your guns.

Check Magnesium, B12, Lyme, lupus anticoagulant antibodies (mine are now abnormal).

Blood test that showed something was up were:
CRP levels, antibodies high (IgG, IgA, IgM), TPO (thyroid antibodies) sometimes ESR would raise too. (these are not related to MS directly but they showed my body was not right)

I know EXACTLY how you feel about your doctor's condescending attitude, I always feel if I call or see him, I am a pain-in-the-ass nurse who dramatizes every symptom! So I am going to look for another one- you deserve to feel your physician is your advocate!