Multiple Sclerosis and the MRI: let's treat brain lesions!

We should give steroids for all gad enhancing lesions, even when patient is symptom free! People with MS on disease modifying therapies should have an MRI once a year. Sometimes we find an incidental new gad enhancing MRI lesion without any new clinical symptoms. I believe we should treat these asymptomatic enhancing lesions with high dose steroids, just like we would treat an attack. Watch this video to understand why!

The Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis accepts all major insurance carriers and accepts consults from around the globe, both in office and via telemedicine. www.BosterMS.com or call 614-304-3444 to schedule!
**********************************************************
COMMENT below: please share your thoughts, comments and questions! I look forward to reading them and will reply back to all! #WeHaveMS

**********************************************************************
LEARN about MS with me, Aaron Boster MD! I started this channel to help my own MS patients learn between clinic visits. I use easy-to-understand language to provide accurate and approachable Multiple Sclerosis education. So, if you’re impacted by MS and want to up your game, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel right now!

***********************************************************************

***********************************************************************
LEARN about



***********************************************************************
These videos do not provide medical advice and are for informational/educational purposes only. The videos are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any of our videos.

[AaronBosterMD]

Question of the Day: Have you experienced new spots on an MRI but didn't have new symptoms? If so, what did you and your MS care provider decide to do? Would you vote to treat as I suggest, or would you not? Please share!

[misshannah-mai]

Thank you for bringing light to this. So often, we as MS patients, are the victims of the invisible side of this disease. The very fact that cognitive issues are a reality for us means we can't always advocate for ourselves. Knowledge is power. Thank you again Doctor Boster!

[l.a.w.]

I would want it treated!! But my neurologist didn’t even go over my MRI with me. I asked questions (I’m a psychologist and know a little about the brain). I got the DIsc. I have no idea what it means of course but I saw black holes and bright spots. I’m getting a second opinion.

[houseoforange]

Hi doctor boster, i have had a mri scan that showed up a new leision but I didn’t have any symptoms, not that i noticed anyway lol, i wasn’t treated for it with any medication at all, it was just put down as a new leision on my medical file, my specialist says that it was very very small and not to worry about it, ps you sir are doing a fantastic job on YouTube!! you’re channel is awsome!!! hats of to you sir!!

[Falciase]

Thank you Dr. Boster for all your videos!! I recently was diagnosed earlier this year, and your videos have really helped me understand the disease much better. Thanks for ALL you do, and keep up the FANTASTIC work!!

[MyrtleKing-tl]

Please pray for my son Earnest Isaiah King 18 years old I want him to help me sow seeds to Pastor Rod Parsley at World 🌎 Harvest ministry this month of July of 2024 I strongly believe I will get miracles

[heartlandohiothrifter]

So grateful for you!! I have multiple foci t2 hyperintensity in periventricular, but Radiologist says Non-specific, microischemic changes. Been to 2 neurologist, and 3 times in 6 mos to PCP. Lassitude, Occipital neuralgia, spasticity (diagnosed), memory loss quick, double vision, speech gaps. Weakness. Pins n needles (diffuse). Extreme out of nowhere heat sensitivity, that makes me instantly weak and my calves get intense cramps. Tremors, Restless leg( diagnosed). Numb from nipple line down comes n goes. Clumsy, falling, zero balance, walk like I am drunk. (Ataxia) comes n goes, diagnosed. All labs perfect. HELP NOBODY WILL LISTEN. Keep dissecting each symptom, not connecting the dots. " anxiety", fatigue because you are 54. List of BS goes on. Right along with the emptying of my wallet. I was a nurse 25 years, run floors 12 hours a day. No issues. Woke up like this back in February. But, noticed symptoms individual last 7+ years. Once again, treated carpal tunnel, vertigo, etc...all separate because " me, the patient, I guess is an unreliable witness to my own damn symptoms ". So me, the patient gets to crash n burn.... with zero answers. Each new MD, start over. Does anybody care? I have said autoimmune, MS, please look. I get, Radiologist says MRI neg. So I ask for C-spine, thoracic. " No, we have to do 6 to 8 weeks of PT, go to neuro optometrist, that my ins will pay zero for. Psychiatrist, anxiety ( I keep saying NO, anxiety starts with tremors, high BP etc...just like a panic attack, then goes away. I have explained at times, I feel like I am in " constant fright or flight". Telling them no "anxiety" started 6 mos ago with this perfect storm. Nobody, will listen, I get cut off. Told my anxiety been there all my life. OMG, I feel like I am in the twilight zone, every body knows how I feel, except me. Hmmmm. Needed to vent....

[mneeraalnema]

hello doctor
when i watched this video i cryed, i remmemberd when i was A student in Petroleum Engineering College trying to study with 9 lessions without suptemps and i couldnt focus and i was without DMT 😭
it was a hard time for me 😭
thanks doctor you are the best 💐

[billielewis]

Answered my question perfectly! Great job 💪👌

[broly]

I have like 33+ lesions and I'm only 28... no new activity for about a year or two, but I've received new clinical symptoms over the last year. I've also discovered that steroids expedite bone deterioration which my neurologist also stated. I'm distressed and desperate.

[maggiemae]

I've never had a new lesion without also having symptoms. If I experience this in the future, I'll make sure to ask for steroids if my provider doesn't suggest them. Thanks for the info!

[larrybodin]

Good morning.. My one year MRI check is scheduled next June. Thank you for explaining the approach of MRI activities. Great info. Thank you! Have a great weekend and stay well...

[brightwhitesneakers]

Thank you, Dr. Boster for this new information. It is certainly something I need to talk with my neurologist about. I love the format you put this information into. Short and sweet. I would certainly want to be treated for new lesions. I do not want to loose any more function in my brain; symptomatic or not. God Bless.

[taybaesworld]

Thank you cuz my doc ain’t tellin me shit. I got a referral to Ms specialist

[lisalo]

Dr. B you are great and thank you for all your videos.

[mrnaanouh]

I recently had a clinical attack in June where I had a small lesion on my spine. Recovered after a dose of steroids. This was followed up with a new lesion in my brain that was GAD-enhancing. I opted to do a round 3 of lemtrada in a 2 weeks to settle the disease.

[keelyml]

Decisions, decisions. For the first year ever, since being diagnosed and on therapy, I was told an MRI wasn’t necessary this year. Then in the same breath was told he would order one if I wanted. Even though I’ve never had a scan showing enhancements, I’m leaning towards requesting a brain scan in November merely for my piece of mind. It’s not going to cause me any great harm, so why not? Have a great weekend!

[brittaroth]

Hi, I am getting an MRI every year to see if my MS is damaging more of my brain. So far so good.
My neurologist is giving me ivsteroids every 6 weeks to prevent my brain and spinal cord from damage through inflammation.
I am not on a DMT at the moment cause my liver counts are so bad and this needs to get better first, before we can start thinking about giving me hard medication.;)
THe dose I am getting is 500mg a day for three days and then wait 6 weeks and start over again. I am ok with that. not many side effects except of sleeping problems, which are normal when you are on steroids. And I m getting rushes from time to time. But that goes away after a while. When I am in my neurologist's office and get the ivsteroids I shall stay there an hour after the infusion to make sure I am ok. That's wonderful! I know that she is busy as hell and patients come to her like nonstop!
I feel comfortable with her treatment at the moment.
Have a wonderful weekend, Aaron! Thanks for this video!
Greetings from stormy and rainy Underfranconia! sincerely Britta

[franciir]

Interesting.. I've been on avonex the past 8 years, I felt worse, but no change in MRI. Yet my doctor treated me with IV steroids.
Earlier this year, I had both worsening symptoms and new lesions. I met a new doctor and he urged me to change my drug right away.

[notyourbusiness]

I’m a Caucasian male age 46. I had an mri with/without contrast in 2017. It showed scattered white matter hyperintensities non specific. I saw my neurologist who just brushed it off and said it’s a common finding in older adults... older adults! I’m only 46! I’m treated for severe depression disorder, short term memory loss, and pre- hypertension but aren’t taking any drugs for hypertension. Should I get another brain mri to put side by side my previous 2017 brain mri? Thank you for your time and this video!