Spinal tap / lumbar puncture negative

[shoetree]

Hi everyone, 30 year old male with probable MS. I haven't officially been diagnosed.
Here is an excerpt reading from my MRI of the Brain:

"Widespread white matter disease with increased FLAIR and T2 signal inv olving the cervial cord......."

This is the reading given for my MRI of the Spine:

"There are multiple areas of T2 signal abnormally within the cervial cord as described approximately four to five in number. The largest lesion spans approximately 4.5cm in length and approximately 3 vetebral bodies......"

I've just got the results back from my spinal tap and the doctor said that the test came nack negative for MS. How common is this?
Now I've lived a rather healthy lifestyle and it wasn't until 4 months ago when I woke up with a numb left hand/arm. The numbness was mostly focused in my thumb, finger and middle finger. Now the numbness is in all five fingers of my left hand. It has remained numb/stiff ever since without any relief. The only other symptom I have developed are numbing feet. I walk perfectly fine, however it feels like my feet are asleep.
Has anyone had a similar experience where as certain tests come inconclusive? I'm very frustrated because I'm finding each passing day as valuable time wasted. I want a clear headstart in battling this disease.

[Alexandra]

My diagnosis took around 1 year and 10 neurologists from 4 different countries. I made three lumbur punctures and the first two came negative. Only the last one came positive for oligoclonal bands but very small quantity. However, during the one year diagnosis I had several MRIs done at least every 2 months and the lessions multiplied. The diagnosis was put based on the increased number of lessions and after an year all neurologists agreed I have MS and they all put me on interferon.

Wish you health

[Squibbles]

Hi Shoetree

I don't know how common this is but I've read that 10% of people with MS will not have the bands showing in their fluid.

For me, I had my first attack in 1992 and was given lumbar puncture which came back negative. Went on with various symptoms and attacks for a further 13 years when they decided to do another lumbar puncture when I was in hospital following a flare. This came back negative also. They made a diagnosis of MS based on the MRI scan they did at the time but because the MS does not show up by lumbar puncture I have never been taken seriously and am not prescribed any medication...

Chris

[LR1234]

I had 2 negative LP's....third one was positive.
(I will also add I had 9 negative MRI's, number 10 and 11 were positive).
Took 14 years to get diagnosed!!

[Mirry]

I had 2 lumbar punctures, one negative and one inconclusive. My latest specialist does not want to do another one as he said they are not a definite diagnosis.