MS with clear MRI

[AnxietyReallySux]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been doing pretty good lately with my anxiety. I had a big anxiety scare last fall with MS and I had a brain/spine MRI, which came back clean. So I was able to pretty much put that out of my mind and move on. Then last week I started getting a tingling, itchy, burning sensation all over my body...legs, feet, arms, hands, face, chest, neck, etc. I also have some achy joints. I saw my doctor today and she ordered a ton of bloodwork to check iron, magnesium, B12, autoimmune stuff, and liver and kidney function. I was actually pretty okay with all of that. But then, she mentions that I might want to see my Neuro again to get a lumbar tap to 100% rule out MS. I immediately felt like I had been punched in the gut and my REALLY bad anxiety has started all over again! I know nothing in life is 100%, but has anyone else ever had to do an MRI and spinal tap to rule this out? What are the odds of having a clean MRI but still having MS? Any thoughts on this? I can’t get in to see my Neuro until July...not sure I’ll make it until then before my anxiety gets the best of me

 

[FlipperK]

Let me ask you this question... and really think about it before answering:

What if you get this lumbar tap done, and nothing is found, do you honestly believe that your anxiety will be cured of MS at that point?



I am being serious, once you clear this hurdle... what is next for you? Therapy? Medication? Most of us on here have been dealing with anxiety for 20, 30, 40+ years. Many of us have plenty of experience... it doesn't go away. It will hide in the shadows of your mind, but it will always come back up. When it does come back, it is up to you to make sure you are prepared to handle it.


Let me put it to you this way. You are afraid of having MS and your doctor, in your own words, told you that you may have to get a test done to 100% rule it out. You are now freaking out about having the test that will 100% clear you of MS. You should BE HAPPY!

I know this is a VERY common thing to do when having to get a test done. But for me, I never get that. I think about it as I am problem solving. I worry most when I DON'T do anything about it. Once I schedule the doctor's visit, I am instantly better because I know if anything is wrong, I will work on it. I get a little anxious with waiting for the test results, but I know that that step in the process of solving this issue is done. One less thing to worry about.

 

[AnxietyReallySux]

Let me ask you this question... and really think about it before answering:

What if you get this lumbar tap done, and nothing is found, do you honestly believe that your anxiety will be cured of MS at that point?



I am being serious, once you clear this hurdle... what is next for you? Therapy? Medication? Most of us on here have been dealing with anxiety for 20, 30, 40+ years. Many of us have plenty of experience... it doesn't go away. It will hide in the shadows of your mind, but it will always come back up. When it does come back, it is up to you to make sure you are prepared to handle it.


Let me put it to you this way. You are afraid of having MS and your doctor, in your own words, told you that you may have to get a test done to 100% rule it out. You are now freaking out about having the test that will 100% clear you of MS. You should BE HAPPY!

I know this is a VERY common thing to do when having to get a test done. But for me, I never get that. I think about it as I am problem solving. I worry most when I DON'T do anything about it. Once I schedule the doctor's visit, I am instantly better because I know if anything is wrong, I will work on it. I get a little anxious with waiting for the test results, but I know that that step in the process of solving this issue is done. One less thing to worry about.

Thank you so much for replying. There is definitely some truth to your question. I think no matter what, there’s always doubt when there is something that is a major trigger. And you’re right, I would rather get the test done and at least have a little more reassurance than always wonder. I got my bloodwork results today and my iron is low, so that could be the reason for the tingling. But my doctor still wants me to follow up with my neurologist. Part of me thinks she wants me to do it for reassurance, since she knows I have anxiety. The cycle is never ending!

 

[Jones]

Thank you so much for replying. There is definitely some truth to your question. I think no matter what, there’s always doubt when there is something that is a major trigger. And you’re right, I would rather get the test done and at least have a little more reassurance than always wonder. I got my bloodwork results today and my iron is low, so that could be the reason for the tingling. But my doctor still wants me to follow up with my neurologist. Part of me thinks she wants me to do it for reassurance, since she knows I have anxiety. The cycle is never ending!

Did you end up having the lumbar tap? If so, how did it all turn out and how are you feeling now?

 

[AnxietyReallySux]

Did you end up having the lumbar tap? If so, how did it all turn out and how are you feeling now?

I did not have it. I actually had to get another MRI of my brain for another reason and it came back clean. So I am taking that as a sign everything is okay and trying to trust that. Thank you for asking!

 

[Danny1001]

Why would you have two brain mri if the first was clear


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