Finding new lesions on an MRI after living with MS for a while can feel unsettling, but it's important information that helps your care team make the best decisions for you. New lesions are a sign that MS is still active, even if no new symptoms have been noticed. Here's what new lesions can tell your neurologist:
- Disease Show Full Answer
Finding new lesions on an MRI after living with MS for a while can feel unsettling, but it's important information that helps your care team make the best decisions for you. New lesions are a sign that MS is still active, even if no new symptoms have been noticed. Here's what new lesions can tell your neurologist:
- Disease activity — New or growing lesions suggest MS is currently active, which may not always match how you feel day-to-day
- Treatment effectiveness — If you're on a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), new lesions may signal it's time to reassess whether it's working well enough
- Location matters — Lesions in different areas (brain vs. spinal cord) can affect different functions and help guide treatment decisions
- Active vs. older lesions — A contrast dye called gadolinium can show whether lesions are newly inflamed or older and settled New lesions don't automatically mean things are spiraling — they're a data point, not a verdict. That said, this is exactly the kind of finding worth having a thorough conversation with your neurologist about, especially regarding whether your current treatment plan needs adjusting.
A MyMSTeam member shared a similar experience where new spinal lesions led their neurologist to recommend switching DMTs. You're not alone in navigating this.
October 17
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