I just had an MRI done recently too and the technician asked me what I was there for. Is that true for you too maybe? Maybe the tech noted it somewhere?

I have never seen an MRI report yet so I'm not sure I would know what was "normal" reporting.

I was told my results were clear? I was actually having a pretty good day that day and was grateful because I had to drive to the appointment myself. What did the report say exactly? Can other people please comment about their MRI results? Is it possible for them to be inaccurate? or be effected on a day to day basis?

I've worked in the medical field a long time with animals, and my extended family's full of nurses and other people in different medical fields (chiropractors, massage therapists, etc). I've been taught to learn as much as possible about all sorts of medical things, including whatever affects me. So, I'm somewhat familiar with MRI's. I've never had anything come back on one, and I've had 4 or 5 in my lifetime--don't ask, you don't want to know! LOL

My understanding is that a full report includes reasons that lead to the indications, and your report should state clearly why the indications are "LD/depression." If you don't have the full report, I'd suggest you request it, so you can find out more info. The indications aren't enough info for you to understand what's going on. If the MRI is normal, the indications are simply what the requesting physician has as a tentative diagnosis and the reason why he is indicating he needed to have the MRI performed. Otherwise, they found something, and you need to know what. I'd say you simply either don't have enough info, or haven't given us enough...

Hope that helps. *hugs*

Jen

You asked:

*****IS IT BECAUSE THE REQUESTING PHYSICIAN PUT DX LYME DISEASE ON THE REQUEST?****

I'd say that's a very good guess.

When a doc writes the MRI request---- he has to put the reason or reasons for the request. (IOW---- no 'fishing trips 'just to see what's there'.)

So, if the doc wrote 'suspected' Lyme or ?? kind of reason for the MRI then a radiologist would probably put down "consistent with" Lyme.

White spots are white spots.

MS and Lyme are so similar (by MRI) that it would take a 'trained' radiologist to see the difference---- AND with the 'right' MRI machine/head AND the best software to help.

That's why most MRI's by the best LLMDs are usually sent to just a few places where the best equipment is installed and the radiologist has been 'trained' to look for those subtle differences.

Even then, it's a difficult call.

I'm pretty sure a radiologist can't 'diagnose' just as a lab tech can't diagnose. Just report 'findings' which in most cases are 'guided' by the MDs lab request.

[Guessing here---- but I imagine that if the radiologist saw a big honkin' tumor in there he's report "HOLY MOLY--- Look at the size of that thing!!!! ]

Again, guessing---- if the MD had written down 'suspected MS' that's what the radiologist would have found ---- with no other VERY obvious defects on the MRI.

Rambling on, my MRI reports did not have a lot of verbiage on them---- described what they found --- "areas of opacity consistent with Lyme" for example and in what area of the brain.

I was told once, by a very UN-llmd, that MRI's were only used to 'confirm diagnoses' NOT to diagnose.

At the time, not knowing much about Lyme and how the medical field operates, I thought he was being obstructive since he told me I couldn't have Lyme disease!!!!

But now I know he was right. And even more so for Lyme disease since it's really difficult to see some of the minor changes.

Trivia: Did you know that, in LymeLand, those white spots are called UBOs?

Unidentified Bright Objects.

However, in hindsight, maybe the reports should be looked at again because 6 months later and a positive Ignenex test for Lyme could mean that the spots are something else....not sure what?

I have been taking Doctor's advice but they are not a LDMD (Lyme Disease Medical Doctor?) I told them (I don't want to use gender in case they read this forum) that I had confidence in thier direction and advice, except I really do not buy into the antibiotic use.

I don;t know if I have co-infections becuase I never really did fully understand the Igenex lab results. (All those "bees"!) and doctor never explained anything excpt give me some vitamin and supplement directions and send me on my way. Only when I demanded some explainations did I get any, but I realize that I have to take this into my own hands, so this is why I am studying everything everyone writes and I hope that you don;t mind all of my questions!

all the best and to our good heath,

blah, blah, blah. LOL

So, you basically got a dx that's on the fence---- only more confusing!!!!

"compatible with Lyme, pattern suggests MS"????

Sheesh---- could that be any more ambiguous?

Sounds like CYA-ville.

Where did you get that MRI, if you don't mind me asking?

Just ignore, if you do mind.

But yes it is very hard to distinguish between LD and MS - and if you go with the school who has found MS to be linked with a spirochete infection - well - hmmmm...it would only be logical that this difficulty exists...oh but then again, common sense and logic doesnt equate a medically trained professional right... HA I crack myself up sometimes...

Well I guess we can tell i subscribe to the belief that Lyme and MS are the same if not related strains of the same thing...countless people being treated with steroids...

WHOOPS!!!!! Off topic...

Ret...you should still get with an LLMD. If you cant find one close, and your present doc is on board, then maybe you can find an LLMD who will work with your doc. Abx use for Lymies is important. For those who can tolerate it, and it works well for, it can sometimes be the only thing that works. If you are unsure of it...read on. Learn about how for some it is the answer and for some it isnt...but dont fall victem to all the mainstream info. Lyme breaks a lot of rules. Thus far, it doesnt become resistant like many other bacterias. No Lyme has to change its form and hide within the body in order to escape the abx...

For some the best option is to hammer the disease with abx - then slowly switch to a natural protcol...whether you do one or both, you need to get aggressive with treatment - and in that treating your whole body...

Take the reigns and move foreward...

C

In a way, I agree with Cave in that it does seem that the diagnosis is on the fence, and perhaps a CYA type of thing. However, I'm more of the opinion, as is Christine, that MS and LD are pretty much the same disease, or are linked in some way, so with either one you have essentially the same situation. Both improve with antibiotics and with essentially the same treatment, and, therefore, distinguishing one from the other is virtually impossible. Patterns on MRI's are difficult, as Cave pointed out. The makes it difficult to say exactly why one would state the lesions found are indicative of one disease over another without, as both Cave and I stated, your doctor suggesting why he ordered the MRI. Since the doctor has to do so, that puts a suggestion in the reader's mind as to what he may or may not find. Kinda irritating in a way, tho, as the reader is going into the reading with some hypothesis in mind as to what he or she may find...That could in a sense, IMHO at least, taint the results. Say, for instance, your doctor refuses to believe you have LD and says instead it's MS. Then your results may indicate MS instead of LD...You essentially have a misdiagnosis, correct? Anyway...looks like you have a lot more info now than you did before. I'm guessing you're more satisfied with your answers? Let me know if you want more info, and I'll see if I can help you.

Ret, I have to agree with cmany...I also think it wouldn't be a bad idea to have your MRI's pulled and re-examined with your new diagnosis in mind. You have a good idea there. Good luck to you.

Jen