Re: Spinal tap/ beer might be more relaxing, but. . . .

[Guest guest]

Well, Trisha, you could just ask the doctor whether it issafe and reasonable to wait. . . perhaps a year--though itshould be a very safe test.Love to you, and I do think that you do belong with us.n, wMS, aged 72.5, diagnosed at 19To: MSersLife Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 5:45:04

AMSubject: Spinal tap

I'm trying to determine if it would be beneficial to undergo a spinal tap, so I'm looking for feedback from the experts.

I have demyelinated lesions of the central nervous system and labs show nothing to explain them. I have extremely mild symptoms, with no damage to the peripheral nerves. I'm 44 years old, and living in a 120 year old two story home. I work full time - office work, so easy on the body.

Is it in my best interests to rule in/rule out MS at this stage so that I can plan for the future? Is the potential for side effects worth it, or should I just figure that time marches on and the best thing any of us can do is ready our homes for potential handicaps as we age?

(I think I answered my question here

Thanks!

Trisha

PS -- I hope that you are all safe and sound and warm and dry with these winter storms - and for those who are not, I hope it's of extremely short duration!

[Guest guest]

Well, I can't tell you what you should do...but I can share my road to diagnosis.  My first symptom was loss of vision (optic neuritis)  I had a cat scan...it showed nothing.  Next I went to a neurologist and had an exam, just based on that he suspected MS and sent me for an evoked potential test.  It showed a problem and he sent me for an MRI,  which showed like 6-10 lesions in my brain.  I didn't have a spine MRI at that time.  ALL these pointed to MS and still my neuro sent me for a spinal tap.  I won't go in to specific problems that occurred with my spinal because more than likely these won't happen to you.  Personally, I am angry my doctor felt the need to put me through that with all the other tests being positive.  I feel like it was over kill.  I would listen to your doctor and think on what he says.  On the other hand a diagnosis is essential to get on a therapy that is right for YOU.  I believe that spinal taps can give false negative results if you aren't in an active exacerbation,  but I could be wrong.

Good luck with whatever you decide is right for you.Jolie

[Guest guest]

Well, I can't tell you what you should do...but I can share my road to diagnosis.  My first symptom was loss of vision (optic neuritis)  I had a cat scan...it showed nothing.  Next I went to a neurologist and had an exam, just based on that he suspected MS and sent me for an evoked potential test.  It showed a problem and he sent me for an MRI,  which showed like 6-10 lesions in my brain.  I didn't have a spine MRI at that time.  ALL these pointed to MS and still my neuro sent me for a spinal tap.  I won't go in to specific problems that occurred with my spinal because more than likely these won't happen to you.  Personally, I am angry my doctor felt the need to put me through that with all the other tests being positive.  I feel like it was over kill.  I would listen to your doctor and think on what he says.  On the other hand a diagnosis is essential to get on a therapy that is right for YOU.  I believe that spinal taps can give false negative results if you aren't in an active exacerbation,  but I could be wrong.

Good luck with whatever you decide is right for you.Jolie