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Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Did everyone get diagnosed from their first m.r.i ???and what did your first m.r.i show ?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Yeovil, UK
January 20
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A MyMSTeam Member

In 2014 had all the symptoms but all test were negative. 2020 had MRI and and spinal tap this time should lesions on both test.

January 21
A MyMSTeam Member

My first brain MRI was ordered due to suspicious spots on a neck MRI I had due to constant neck pain.
That MRI showed “Dawsons fingers” which is almost exclusively MS, also found active immune activity on the MRIs with dye so yes immediate MS diagnosis, although I had had it for many many decades undiagnosed

January 21
A MyMSTeam Member

I had my first MRI and they found lesions. I had 2 more, one of those had to be done in a hospital not the usual imaging place. The doctor I first saw told me I probably had MS but the only way to know was with a spinal tap. But even is the spinal tap showed I had it, he would prescribe any DMT until I had 2 flares. I told him I didn't want the spinal tap. The first visit with my now neurologist, she said she could tell I had it just from my MRIs.

January 20
MyMSTeam

Did everyone get diagnosed from their first MRI?

No, not everyone gets diagnosed with MS from their first MRI. Many people go through multiple tests and see several specialists before receiving a diagnosis.

Some MyMSTeam members were misdiagnosed initially even after having MRIs. One member had a clear MRI at first and Show Full Answer

Did everyone get diagnosed from their first MRI?

No, not everyone gets diagnosed with MS from their first MRI. Many people go through multiple tests and see several specialists before receiving a diagnosis.

Some MyMSTeam members were misdiagnosed initially even after having MRIs. One member had a clear MRI at first and was told she didn't have MS, but later testing revealed a lesion on her spine that helped confirm the diagnosis.

Another member experienced symptoms for years before diagnosis, highlighting how MS can be difficult to pin down even with imaging.

What did first MRIs typically show?

MRIs are used to look for lesions (areas of damage) in the brain and spinal cord that are characteristic of MS. When MS is present, the MRI may show:

- Lesions on the brain
- Lesions on the spinal cord
- Areas of inflammation or damage to the central nervous system

However, some people have clear initial MRIs despite having symptoms, which is why doctors often use multiple diagnostic tools including neurological exams, spinal taps, and symptom diaries alongside MRI scans to make an accurate diagnosis.

The diagnosis process can take time, and keeping track of your symptoms can be really helpful for your medical team.

January 20

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