This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I made it through my first MRI w/wo contrast yesterday and then made a BIG mistake by looking at the pictures on the disk they gave me. I know full well that I'm not trained to know what these pictures mean but couldn't resist a peek at them. I found a number of white spots on a lot of the pics, not overly bright though. On a lot of the T1 and T2 pics there are quite a few black holes and showing a very bright white in some other pics is a spot on/near my cerebellum. It's not what I would call huge but it looks a fairly decent size. I studied what the cerebellum does and it fits perfectly with some of my more recent and severe issues. I've lost my balance and am also dizzy to the point of the doctor ordering me to use a cane to steady myself on my first visit with her last week. I also have other issues that appear could be related to whatever that white spot is. I'm sure that I am scaring myself and am trying not to worry so much since I don't even have any info from the doctor yet. I'm guessing that I am not the only one to peek at her MRI results and wondered if any of you with MS have seen these spots on your MRI pictures too? I'm certainly not asking for anyone here to diagnose me but I'd like to know if this is common with MS? Of course it probably is common with a lot of things but I'm just trying to make some sense of things while I wait. I feel a little like I can't say too much to my family without freaking them out. I mentioned the possibility of MS to my mom and she totally did NOT want to hear it. She had a very close friend with MS who suffered terribly and died young. She was in a wheelchair, then stuck in bed and had permanently lost her sight in both eyes. So, that's what mom thinks MS will always do. Anyway, any info would be helpful.
Thanks for listening to me, I'm pretty scared.

Hi , Where are you going at Uof c?I would suggest you do not show them your MRI, letr them figuar out everything elese it could be, I made the mistake of going to UofC and based on my clinical diag with DR arneson he gave me the frozen boot in the ass that he thinks its MS, All this based on 2 spots or liessions in brain? I think they been there for yrs, with many injurys and car accedents I told him I was bittin by a tick last yr and he said most of the test come back false positive? My vision is jittery my back hurts dizzy all the classic symptoms, alist that goes on for days with MS, its the perfect DX in encompasses so much, he put me on this beta seron crap that supposed to delay and future relapses???? this stuff is crap no wonder they give to you for free!! go figuar Please do not make the mistake I did make them rule out everything else before seeing your MRI, once they see the leissons your done nobody will look at you in a objective way to help! once you are DX with MS they will lay every pain symptom ect to the ms and its not could be some other infection viral bactrial ect get your own blood work done check you vit levels do your own work! I know its painfull but you have to do it, unless your content with MS DX. And belive me they will tell you its no bigdeal just take the meds you will be fine? Belive me I am not telling you you do not have MS
Iam saying you will have to pursue your own DX there done at MS,and you will not feel better with the med they give you its develped to knock down your immune system and makes you feel terrible!! By all means stay out of the Nuroligist dept these geeks love to come up with answers right or wrong you need to explore all other test first and MS last!!!! Dont let them scare you about the future and how possibly you will get worse without the medication, I am not saying you do not have it and you may need meds to slow progresion just saying be sure you look into other causes Lymes,SLE,ect..stay strong!!!

saja wrote:I made it through my first MRI w/wo contrast yesterday and then made a BIG mistake by looking at the pictures on the disk they gave me. I know full well that I'm not trained to know what these pictures mean but couldn't resist a peek at them. I found a number of white spots on a lot of the pics, not overly bright though. On a lot of the T1 and T2 pics there are quite a few black holes and showing a very bright white in some other pics is a spot on/near my cerebellum. It's not what I would call huge but it looks a fairly decent size. I studied what the cerebellum does and it fits perfectly with some of my more recent and severe issues. I've lost my balance and am also dizzy to the point of the doctor ordering me to use a cane to steady myself on my first visit with her last week. I also have other issues that appear could be related to whatever that white spot is. I'm sure that I am scaring myself and am trying not to worry so much since I don't even have any info from the doctor yet. I'm guessing that I am not the only one to peek at her MRI results and wondered if any of you with MS have seen these spots on your MRI pictures too? I'm certainly not asking for anyone here to diagnose me but I'd like to know if this is common with MS? Of course it probably is common with a lot of things but I'm just trying to make some sense of things while I wait. I feel a little like I can't say too much to my family without freaking them out. I mentioned the possibility of MS to my mom and she totally did NOT want to hear it. She had a very close friend with MS who suffered terribly and died young. She was in a wheelchair, then stuck in bed and had permanently lost her sight in both eyes. So, that's what mom thinks MS will always do. Anyway, any info would be helpful.
Thanks for listening to me, I'm pretty scared.

I am pleased you made it through your first MRI w/wo contrast – I KNEW you would! I understand your curiosity to see the pictures, BUT you admit that you are not trained or qualified to interpret them and you are right. I encourage you to take a deep breath. "White spots" can have many possible causes. You had such confidence in your new doctor last week; work with her; wait for the information from her. Waiting is always difficult; the diagnosis of any problem simply takes some time. If your mom and family cannot offer you positive emotional support, can you find a trusted friend willing to hear your thoughts and fears? Each of us needs someone to listen at some time in our lives.

Lyndacarol,

Thank you, you are so kind and wise! You are 200% right, and I am not going to look at those pics again, nor do anymore Google searching! BAD idea in my opinion. I'll just try to calm down and wait to see what the doctor says on Thursday. I like her very much and again, you are right, it takes time to find out what is going on. I am happy that she is testing and being cautious and not speculating. I haven't really made any friends of my own in Chicago yet, but my boyfriend is wonderfully supportive. I just hate to worry him by overthinking things. I'll distract myself by doing things that I enjoy and keep my mind busy. =) Thank you again, very much.

pfranzese wrote:Hi , Where are you going at Uof c?I would suggest you do not show them your MRI, letr them figuar out everything elese it could be, I made the mistake of going to UofC and based on my clinical diag with DR arneson he gave me the frozen boot in the ass that he thinks its MS, All this based on 2 spots or liessions in brain? I think they been there for yrs, with many injurys and car accedents I told him I was bittin by a tick last yr and he said most of the test come back false positive? My vision is jittery my back hurts dizzy all the classic symptoms, alist that goes on for days with MS, its the perfect DX in encompasses so much, he put me on this beta seron crap that supposed to delay and future relapses???? this stuff is crap no wonder they give to you for free!! go figuar Please do not make the mistake I did make them rule out everything else before seeing your MRI, once they see the leissons your done nobody will look at you in a objective way to help! once you are DX with MS they will lay every pain symptom ect to the ms and its not could be some other infection viral bactrial ect get your own blood work done check you vit levels do your own work! I know its painfull but you have to do it, unless your content with MS DX. And belive me they will tell you its no bigdeal just take the meds you will be fine? Belive me I am not telling you you do not have MS
Iam saying you will have to pursue your own DX there done at MS,and you will not feel better with the med they give you its develped to knock down your immune system and makes you feel terrible!! By all means stay out of the Nuroligist dept these geeks love to come up with answers right or wrong you need to explore all other test first and MS last!!!! Dont let them scare you about the future and how possibly you will get worse without the medication, I am not saying you do not have it and you may need meds to slow progresion just saying be sure you look into other causes Lymes,SLE,ect..stay strong!!!

Thank you for replying. I am not sure what you mean by UofC? I think that I have found a very good doctor and she has not even suggested a Dx at this point, we just met. She is running a lot blood work and I feel confident that she is trying to find the cause by ruling out things to find her answer. As for my MRI results, they have been sent to her. I don't think that she will make a hasty Dx, she doesn't seem like that type of person. However, I will most certainly stay aware and be my own advocate. I'm very sorry that you seem to have had a bad experience with your doctors. I am also very careful about medications and will only accept them if I feel it is truly needed and will benefit me. I personally prefer to find a natural/holistic alternative.
Thank you again and I wish you the best in finding the help you need!