In hospital, neuro suspects MS.
I've been in hospital for 4 days, my doctor sent me in after losing vision in my right eye, I also had a numb left arm and leg for a few days previously. The hospital immediately suspected a stroke or anurysm despite being a healthy 32 year old.
I had an emergency vascular MRI which came back clear and a few hours later a spinal tab which also came back clear.
The next day I had a CT brain scan and the neurologist said there might be a lesion but the scan was too quick and I'm now waiting for another MRI with contrast.
The eye specialists did some other scans on my eyes and confirmed an inflamed optic nerve on the right side.
Everything else at this point has been ruled out, viral/bacterial infections, lupus etc.
Now I'm just laying in bed half blind waiting for the next MRI on Monday. My question is: has anyone else experienced something similar with clear spinal tap that resulted in a diagnosis? And what should I expect with the contrast MRI? The neurologist just said it will be thorough and in depth.
Thanks. I'm in France btw.
You've probably received the MRI by this point and know the MRI with contrast is just like a regular MRI but there is an injection midway where you receive a dye to circulate while they scan you again. So an injection plus a bit more time. I did receive a clear spinal tap that resulted in a diagnosis. If you receive an MS diagnosis, they will likely start you on steroids to calm down the inflammation. And your vision should return. Good luck to you and let us know if you have other questions.
Thanks for the reply. They actually put me on a steroid drip for 3 days, finished today without an MS diagnosis. I had the MRI this evening, lasted about 60 minutes. Neuro has gone home now so will probably get the results in the morning. I can't say the steroids have helped my optic neuritis, if anything my eyesight is worse but the eye pain has disappeared completely.
Do you know the possible reasons why a spinal tap is sometimes clear yet the patient is still diagnosed with MS?
I have no idea why the spinal tap can be clear and yet still result in a diagnosis, but I hear about that happening often. The steroids can take time to have an effect -- I wouldn't expect results immediately but would feel confident about improvement eventually. So sorry you're still waiting. Hope you learn more tomorrow and please let us know when you do...
Hi,
! I'm sorry I'm a little late to the conversation here. I hope the neurologist is able to tell you the results of the contrast MRI tomorrow (although, frankly, I stink at waiting and I would have pestered some medical personnel to try to find the results for me today). Waiting is hard, to say the least. And is right about many things in her comments -- it can sometimes take awhile for steroids to 'kick in'. Steroids can definitely help with pain and inflammation, but it can take four to twelve weeks for optic neuritis to fully clear up. I would definitely let the doctors and nurses know that you feel your vision has worsened, just to be safe. Also, you can be diagnosed with MS with a clear spinal tap, although I don't hear of it happening too often. That said, anywhere from 5-10% of individuals diagnosed with MS can have a clear spinal tap. Hopefully, that more in depth MRI will offer some very clear answers as far as a diagnosis goes.
Keep us posted!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
