@starchild90 

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starchild90

Too many lesions to count

I just got the results of my MRI that I had done last week, and the number of lesions was "too numerous to count" (well over 50). I am not on any medication right now just because I don't really have any obvious symptoms. For me, my MS isn't even something that I notice on a regular basis - I had optic neuritis 2010 and no relapses since. Plus, all of the side effects for the medications really make me nervous about taking anything. My neurologist really wants me to start taking meds and I'm leaning towards tecfidera (any thoughts on this are appreciated). Before he prescribes anything to me though, he wants me to see a rheumatologist because I have really high ANA levels which could mean that I have another autoimmune disease in addition to the MS. Just really frustrated with how the MS is progressing and needed to vent. I was also wondering if anyone else has high ANA levels so that I get an idea of what I should be expecting to hear from the rheumatologist. Thanks!
@Bas76

@starchild90 tough one, some people choose not to go on any medication and may be fine but could get worse. It is a gamble and the experts don’t know the course of the disease even if they looked at all your 50+ lesions and where they are located. In my opinion it seems to be down to what has been damaged and not necessarily how many lessions. You probably could get someone who only has a few but could be severely affected as the damage may be more severe or located where it may cause more symptoms. When I was diagnosed 2 years ago I had around 26 lessions mainly on the brain and some on upper spine. As I had two occorances before my diagnosis (lost movement and feeling to left of my face, followed by double vision 6 weeks later) I qualified for DMT. Opted for Avonex injection which I self administered once a week. It was awful for at least 4 months my weekends were wiped out as I objected on a Friday and had flu like symptoms for the whole weekend. Recently changed meds after having a relapse after getting the flu. This is a tablet called cladribine which you take for only 2 weeks and nothing for 1 year. Fingers crossed this works. I glad to hear you are feeling well but perhaps it is worth looking into what meds they are proposing and why and asking what the side effects are. My recent relapse has made me feel it is better to be on something than nothing as if something happened which really had an impact on my quality of life I would forever be thinking what if. Good luck and keep us updated.

@Sam10

Your leisions look like age, just a number. 😀 Take it easy.