i have ra but think i am devoloping ms will my doctor put me for a mri scan straight away

It depends on your doctor really.  Someone once asked me if I had MS and I mentioned it to my neurologist.  He said no but then he saw how concerned I was so he ordered a brain scan; it was negative.  I have essential tremor that can flare from time to time in spite of taking 6 inderal a day.  Also, since I went from 4 xanax to 2 I seem to be less agitated and slur my speech less.  Of course my tinnitus is way louder and I think it has contributed perhaps in a small way to my tremor flares.  Prior to my current neurologist another prescribed 3-1mg. xanax a day for the tremor.  Now my primary doctor leaves the dosage up to my psychiatrist and the neurologist hasn't suggested it in addition to the inderal.  The tremor can be embarrasing but I don't care what people think.  One morning I woke up and was shaking all the way to the bathroom.  I went to lie down and the shaking stopped; I think it was more related to my Meniere's.  Quite a puzzle this body of mine.  I wish you the best and hope you get some satisfactory answers.  Be well.

Lisa Emrich, one of our experts, has RA and MS. I'll ask her to take a look at your question.

Hi Karen,

It is scary when we think that we might be developing yet another disease.  It's enough just having RA without adding to that.  The diagnosis process for MS is not a simple one.  Here's a post on the MS site at HealthCentral which explains a little bit about the diagnosis process.  Please read "Beginner's Guide to MS: Do I have MS?  What does it take to get diagnosed with MS?" for more information.

How your particular doctor decides to move forward is unpredictable.  There are other conditions which must be eliminated before an MS diagnosis can be made anyways.  The starting point is a thorough neurological exam where the doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, balance, walking ability, etc.  Next usually comes extensive bloodwork looking for MS-mimickers such as vitamin deficiency or Lyme Disease.

Of course, very important is the information you bring to the appointment.  Start taking notes on your symptoms and document the history of your suspicious symptoms.  Common MS symptoms are listed in the link above.

What are your symptoms?  Have you been using one of the anti-TNF biologic drugs for RA?  It is known that they can cause symptoms which are similar to MS and may even contribute to the development of MS in persons who are more likely to develop a demyelinating disease anyways.  The exact cause of MS is unknown.

After considering the neurological exam, your symptoms and concerns, and the result of your bloodwork, then the next logical step is the MRI of the brain and spine.  This must be done with and without an injected contrast agent which "lights up" active lesions.

I hope that this helps to answer your original question.  My question to you is why do you suspect MS? 

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask!!

Hi Karen,

It is scary when we think that we might be developing yet another disease.  It's enough just having RA without adding to that.  The diagnosis process for MS is not a simple one.  Here's a post on the MS site at HealthCentral which explains a little bit about the diagnosis process.  Please read "Beginner's Guide to MS: Do I have MS?  What does it take to get diagnosed with MS?" for more information.

How your particular doctor decides to move forward is unpredictable.  There are other conditions which must be eliminated before an MS diagnosis can be made anyways.  The starting point is a thorough neurological exam where the doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, balance, walking ability, etc.  Next usually comes extensive bloodwork looking for MS-mimickers such as vitamin deficiency or Lyme Disease.

Of course, very important is the information you bring to the appointment.  Start taking notes on your symptoms and document the history of your suspicious symptoms.  Common MS symptoms are listed in the link above.

What are your symptoms?  Have you been using one of the anti-TNF biologic drugs for RA?  It is known that they can cause symptoms which are similar to MS and may even contribute to the development of MS in persons who are more likely to develop a demyelinating disease anyways.  The exact cause of MS is unknown.

After considering the neurological exam, your symptoms and concerns, and the result of your bloodwork, then the next logical step is the MRI of the brain and spine.  This must be done with and without an injected contrast agent which "lights up" active lesions.

I hope that this helps to answer your original question.  My question to you is why do you suspect MS? 

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask!!