How often do you have an MRI?? I have been getting them annually now for 5 years.
When I was involved in a clinical trial I had MRI's every 6 months...the trial ended in 2011 and I haven't had one since...?
Annually... it's great info to check if current treatment is working or if changes need to be made. But I beg everyone to request at some point (preferably EARLY in this lovely MS fun) that you have an MRI done on BOTH brain & spine regardless of symptoms. If one is clear of lesions, then great - for the next while (or until issue) just do the one with issues. But again, please check both. As we all fully know, there is MS activity that we don't even know is happening.
Initially I lost my peripheral vision - so they did MRI on brain obviously. So after other tests, I was diagnosed. For 10 years, I took my Rebif and had my annual Brain MRI and went forward thinking I had 'no new activity'. Well, I started dealing with muscle fatigue and my foot was dropping. I went in and this time they did a spine MRI too. There were lesions all over. So... was I really free from MS activity for 10 years?!
It depends. It gives the neurologist valuable information but if you've had no new or worsening symptoms once a year sounds a little more frequent than I'm used to.
My situation is a little unique because I was getting more frequent MRIs because of a brain surgery that I had. The monitoring for surgery has gone to once every five years and my neurologist just piggybacks on those MRIs. The only time that I've had one ordered by the neurologist was when I had an exacerbation.
I get them annually.
Funny you should ask. I am having a brain MRI on 10/29/15 and a spine MRI 11/5/15. Haven't had one in about 5 years but Neurologist wants one now to check for new lesions since I tested positive for JC virus.