Can it be MS with a negative MRI?
I saw my PCP this morning for the results of my MRI and bloodwork. Everything was negative. Because of ruling everything out and all of my symptoms, including weakness in arm and legs, numbness on one side of my body, difficulty swallowing, problems with my voice, tightness in my ribcage, a history of trigeminal neuralgia, he thinks it's MS. He's referring me to a neurologist but my question is can it be MS with a negative MRI? I'm still hoping not.
Hi
. I hope you learn your symptoms are caused by something curable or more manageable than MS. Did you have MRIs of the brain, the spine and optic nerve? MS lesions can develop in any of those areas. If you did not have MRIs of all three, the neurologist might still find lesions. It is also possible that you have MS, but that the lesions are too small to see right now. If the neurologist believes that is the case, you will probably need to undergo a lumbar puncture to confirm it. Please know we are here for you as you go through all this. You will find lots of people here who have been where you are now and who understand. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member) Thank you Lori for responding. I only had an MRI of my brain and neck. I guess I was hoping that if nothing showed up there that I would be in the clear. We're about to leave on a trip to Europe next week and normally would be excited but I can't even climb a flight of stairs. I just hope this is not the new normal for me.
, I'm not Lori, but I wanted chime in and say that I hope you get some unexpected relief from your symptoms and can fully enjoy your trip to Europe!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.Hi,
. I want to echo what Erin wrote. I hope it turns out to be some readily fixable issue with your spine and that you are able to enjoy your trip. Do you have an appointment yet with the neurologist? Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
Thank you Erin, I hope so too. It's a little scary going to a foreign country with all of this going on. This trip has been planned for two years and postponed because of COVID. Hopefully all goes well for the next few weeks.
It can be intimidating for sure,
, but you should be fine as long as you have traveler's insurance. My daughter is in Japan for the semester. She developed Covid a few weeks ago and was very well cared for. A friend was hospitalized with COVID while in Germany and got wonderful treatment there. He was able to fly home within two weeks. Hopefully, you will not have to deal with that at all. Warm wishes. - Lori (Team Member) , fingers crossed! I hope this long delayed trip is everything you want it to be. Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
