MS without lesions? Is it possible?

I'm afraid I'm in a similar situation, i do have an ms diagnosis but my last scan didn't show new lesions yet I'm suffering ms symptoms, i ead told I have spinal stenosis facet joint disease and I already had cervical spondylosis, it's so distressing. You need a firm diagnosis even when it's me it's still a sort of relief because you then know and can plan around it etc. Good luck. I'm beginning to think the neurologists don't know everything.

have you been to a rheumatologist/  What about lymes disease? I was told that gave you similar symptoms..

Hello Heyhue, I can certainly relate to your frustration. I was diagnosed in 2007 with M.S. with oligoclonal bands in my spinal fluid.

I gwt MRIs/MRAs done regularly ( important they use a 3T machine) and in 11 years lesions showed up only once. I was told it was a special type of machine they had. It becomes very frustrating when your body is demonstrating all the "typical" M.S. symptoms , but because the MRIs come back clean, the drs want to discard your diagnosis and repeat the same tests over and over. May I say, please stay as positive as possible and stay strong. You are not alone.

For everyone on here who has symptoms of MS, please consider this possibility. I have suffered over the past year with joint pain, headaches, brain fog, stomach pain, chest pain, hair loss, light sensitivity, static shocks, ice pick pain, weakness and fatigue. I don't have every symptom at the same time,they seem to come in waves. I was recently diagnosed with CIRS or Biotoxin Illness. It has many of the same symptoms as Lupus and if left untreated long enough can lead to Cushing syndrome or MS. It took me a long time to find this as all of my blood work came back negative and I was told I was healthy. Once I finally came across this I found there are not many doctors who treat it. I am hoping this helps any with a mystery illness or who is struggling to find an answer.

My symptoms started in 2004 and initially my Dr thought sciatica. Long story short CT, MRI and several neurologists think it’s MS. My symptoms have been slow which I am grateful for but I have 8/10 typical symptoms and continue to have T2 non specific lesions although there has been some change in MRI over the years they are considered minimal. 3 neurologists said yes to MS then my most recent one retired and the new one said she disagreed. I have just been referred to another one and he believes it is and is repeating all tests previously done. I have lost count of MRI, spinal tap was inconclusive, Lyme disease and Lupus have been ruled out along  with many other things. So I am no farther ahead then I was 14 years ago. We treat symptoms and continue searching for answers. Unfortunately it is not always easy to diagnose. I know that doesn’t help much. All I can say is do whatever you can to take care of yourself! Good luck 

Hi there i live in New Zealand and im 27.  I have been having MS symptoms for about a year now. It first started with tingling and numbness in one side of my body - in my hands, forearms and feet and also heat sensations and numbness on one side of my face. This first spell lasted for about 2-3 weeks. I had a CT scan the hospital to rule out a tumour - the scan was all clear. A few months past without any symptoms but then all of a sudden my symptoms were back, this time all of the previous symptoms except this time my throat was numb on one side and my vision in one eye was becoming blurry and strained all of this coupled with a more intense nerve pain, like cramps in my hands and feet. 

I saw a neurologist and had my first MRI - results came back clear. I saw my neurologist to go through my MRI with me and he basically said i have all of the symptoms pointing to MS but a completely normal MRI of my brain. he questioned weather he should do a spinal tap but said it was too early. He prescribed me with amitriptyline and basically just said wait and see.

The Amitriptyline is a antidepressant and it sort of reduces the nerve pain but all of the symptoms are still there.

Another 4 months went past without any symptoms (am noticing a pattern here) and then my symptoms are back, not really anything new this time but slightly more intense - especially with my numb throat (swallowing and breathing ok, but very noticeably numb).

I saw a private neurologist to speed things up and my brain MRI was booked quite quickly - again it was normal.

I am booked in for my spinal tap on the 17th of July and i am quite nervous about it.

I have a very supportive partner and my friends and family are amazing.

It is really ruling my life at the moment, the symptoms are unbearable during my 3-4 weeks of symptoms, i cant help with think that i do have ms. 

I am so tired of talking about it and explaining my symptoms to my family and friends as it is draining as there is nothing anyone can do about it. 

This message board has really helped me as you look around at other people in your life and you feel very lonely, very isolated but it is nice to know people out there really are experiencing the same hardship and its nice that we can be here for each other and share our experiences. 

I have MS. I had very few lesions so my Neurologist did not want to diagnose the MS. I pushed him and he ordered a lumbar puncture which came back positive. The lumbar puncture is the absolute answer to whether or not you have MS. See if your Dr. will order one for you.

Best wishes.

I had first symptoms of MS in early 1980. Was in a powerchair 5 years before getting diagnoses with SPMS by spinal tap and I have on lesions in the brain or spinal cord. I have occasional flareups and get three days of IV steroids and those are coming less frequent and less severe. My doctor say I do have MS and the older I get the less active my immune system is and not attacking my CNS. Last time I had a flare up a year ago the hospital doctors would not administer steroids because MRI did not show any active lesions. Then told me I did not have MS but all else has been ruled out. I just take care of my self physically and mentally and don't even let it bother me anymore. I am 80 and still independent. Why worry about something I have no control over???

iv been in hosptial admitted a week ago due to callapsing with extreme muscle contractions and tingling in my head follwed by severe headache. this hasnt stopped now im on a constant morphine and muscle relactant for ppl with MS tho im not diagnosed. i have had all the syptoms of MS for a very long time the tinglys , speach , vision, muscle cramps and contractions , confusions ,loss of balance tbe internal vibrations and many others but my neurologist diagnosed me with migraine seizures . iv been medicated for migraines and seizures for over a year but stil suffering these symptoms and all my neurologist says is migraine migraine migraine . and here i am admitted in hospital i cnt even walk to the toilet as iv loss strenth in my legs and my useless neurolisgt os saying migraine tho tbe doctor wants me tested for MS . unreal

iv had Spinal tap CT scan head and neck this week but im having a MRI Today for spine .

my MRI last year was fine except i am borderline chiari 1 which again my neurologist isnt bothered about lolsorry for bad spelling struggling with typing

I was undiagnosed for six years with a multitude of symptoms, very like yourself. I too had all the symptoms you mention, plus many more, and no lesions. I saw 20 doctors, GPs and specialists, and all were stumped. Finally a GP diagnosed it.... Parkinson's. Get a referral to a neurologist who specialises in Parkinson's or movement disorders at least. I saw two neurologists who also missed it as one specialised in MS, the other dealt with eye issues, so it's important they really know about Parkinson's Disease . I've been on PD meds for4 1/2 years and the improvement in quality of life is unbelievable. As soon as I started, I went from basically bed ridden to almost something close to normal. I could brush my hair and stand in the shower, even stand long enough to cook an egg on toast. I got my life back! And of course, the improvement in pain was a Godsend. Anyhow, it's worth looking into and I truly hope you find answers.