@A MyMSTeam Member when you say by MRI only is that because you have not had a spinal tap? Lesions enhance when they are active supposedly but I will tell you that I have had MRIs during an exacerbation and the lesions not enhance then but had them enhance when I did not think I was exacerbating. MS is a crazy disease. There are other diseases that can cause the plaques but I don't remember what they are. I hope this helps a little.

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A MyMSTea...

I had a spinal tap and MRI, neither were bad. I was very nervous about the spinal too, it turned out to be no big deal! Only took about 10 min and really didn't hurt. I agree with resting after wards, they say you will/can get a bad headache if you don't. Make sure you give a blood sample too, my dos office forgot to tell me they needed it and we had to drive about an hour back to do it.

I dealt with this for 10 to 15 years before officially diagnosed. I finally asked for a lumbar test! That is the oly way.

No I haven't had a spinal tap yet I have one scheduled for this Monday though. I am very nervous. And I can't agree with you more MS is so unpredictable and I hate when the Drs treat you like you're making things up. I feel like I'm having a flare and they say no since my MRI shows no contrast.
Now this new neuro says she's not sure it's ms until spinal tap. I question everything now?!?! Can I get a simple yes or no?!?!

I hope you get your answers early next week. When I had my spinal done I decided to have some fun with the radiologist who performed it. I work with the doctors who do those test. I went shopping and bought 3 pair of thong underwear and I had my coworkers vote which pair I should wear. I wore a pair of beige granny panties under the one we chose. Probably not the smartest idea to get the doctor laughing before the procedure. Lol. But it was not a bad procedure. Just make sure you rest afterwards and stay flat on your back for as long as they tell you to. Please let me know how it goes.