MRI scan on spine - abnormal bone marrow..... - LUPUS UK

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MRI scan on spine - abnormal bone marrow.....

Jo883 profile image
7 Replies

Hi everyone

I went to the Drs yesterday and got results for MRI scan. I was told that I have abnormal looking bone marrow, but that it didn't look malignant (phew!) I have to have a repeat scan in 6 months. Can anyone relate to this?? Does anyone know if this is a Lupus thing? Thanking you in advance x

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Jo883 profile image
Jo883
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7 Replies

Hi jo, it can be an autoimmune thing, I know mine was questioned in 1998, and like you, I had the scare of poss leukaemia. Nothing more was ever said, except I had iron transfusions for 6 weeks. Was at one point going to do a biopsy, but came to nothing, and lupus was dx very soon after.

Jo883 profile image
Jo883 in reply to

6161

Thank you for replying, I wasn't expecting what the Dr said - nor do I know what abnormal bone marrow would indicate - I didnt think of leukaemia because bloods seem to be normal - it's Sod's law that hubby's away on business, I haven't told him as I don't want to worry him! I've had a bit of a hard time with Drs lately - my GP started reducing my steroids I've got down to 10 mg and it hasn't been good. I started to flare, but I get neuro problems also and no one seems to know what the cause is, my legs buckle and giveaway without feeling or warning and I have ptosis and facial droop (looks like I've had a stroke) also my speech changes and I can't link my thoughts to my speech - that and joint pain fatigue, dry eyes etc. I think the Dr was a little taken back and has asked if I've been tested for myasthenia gravis!! Which I have but test was negative. Steroids have been keeping this all under control reducing steroids leaves me in a complete mess. I have also been having the malar rash and by the evening it really is quite red. My blood is not showing anything - in my heart I know something is wrong so I must keep going - dr is now writing to rheumy to get me seen quicker as my next appt was 7 months!!!! :-/

My GP was the one who decided to reduce steroids.... Lol! Then when he saw me he said who said to reduce your steroids?! Anyway many thanks for your reply - I really don't know what I'd do without this site and all the wonderful people on it!! Xxx

in reply toJo883

I would not have wanted to scare you with the L word, just thought as cancer had been dismissed, which L is, you were ok, I'm sorry for worrying you needlessly. Yes I agree about the preds, which are all that's keeping me going. You have a lot going on, and must be fed up with it all. Hope your GP raised your preds again ??. Rheumy doesn't know anything, unless they are told, and 7 mths is a long time, so hopefully their intervention helps. I am having a 'mare' with Drs at the mo... May post about it later, to get it off my chest....wish you better soon.

Jo883 profile image
Jo883 in reply to

6161

No you didn't worry me at all - it was the way the Dr said you have abnormal bone marrow but it doesn't look malignant!! I didn't think it was leukaemia because my bloods dont really show anything - I think it just took a minute to go in!! Then I just drove home thinking well what does abnormal bone marrow mean, I just wasn't expecting it and had no1 to discuss it with either. I have been through the ringer with my health and so far I just have ? Sero neg connective tissue disease on paper - 'Lupus like' has been said but nothing definitive - I had to wait for a year before first hospital appt and was just getting ill er and ill-er so had to go private was put on meds which helped but not in time enough before I ended up in hospital. It's taken another year to get to where I am now and for that I am grateful but it's by no means perfect!! I'm really sick of short and rude Drs and long waits for appts and I told my dr this and that I was willing to go private he said it's not good to keep changing and I said well I can't go on like this for another 7 months!! I raised my own preds simply because I need to be able to walk a short distance to pick up my youngest daughter which wasn't happening on 10 mg of pred I will argue it out later I have come down from 15 and have only upped it to 11.5 - I told the Dr of I'm like this in the morning my day will not get any better only worse and I have a family to take care of!! I rely on our short summer for a bit of respite as winter is pretty much a 'right off' for me! I'm sorry to hear your having a struggle with your Dr - mine had me in tears of frustration last time and that's saying something as you learn to have quite thick skin with health problems!! Anyway - I wish u well

:-) xx

in reply toJo883

It's awful isn't it. I did the private/ NHS juggle, and the private Drs I saw, put me on their NHS lists anyway, so only a couple of consultations to pay for. GP prob don't want to look incompetent, so dissuades you. I have a very negative opinion now, of Drs. Their fault, for treating us in this way. I don't take their word for anything now, and google what they say, as well.

Jo883 profile image
Jo883 in reply to

6161

Im so with you on that!

My husbands aunt has been extremely I'll for 2 years - had every test imaginable inside and out - they couldn't find anything wrong with her - she changed hospitals and has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and is now critical. The same sort of thing happened with my Dad who also died young because of incompetence. I don't trust them and I also research every blood test result and take photos of everything and keep a daily symptoms diary. I psyche myself up for every appt in case I get fobbed off or in case they are rude or short - it causes a great deal of additional stress. I've just had to do Atos forms as they are changing the old incapacity benefit to back to work benefit and I will need to be assessed for work - lol - I wish I could work because it would mean I have good health...... Anyway I can't put a definitive diagnosis on paper - just copied all my rheumy and neuro letters and keeping my fingers crossed!! But it will cause me a great deal of unnecessary stress meantime!! All I can say is onwards and upwards :-) xx

Yes, I have a few horror stories of Drs neglect to myself and others. Psyching ourselves up for appts is true... I'm dx and still do it. I also request copies of test results too. I have only ever had 4 positive ANA results, in 12 years. I only have the copy of one...it is my 2nd line of defence, if a new dr or other, Q's my diagnosis. Regarding Atos, yes, bad enough without all that stress. I had worked all my life and paid my dues. I'm not entitled to anything, cos of hubby's pay. And no, he doesn't earn much... Try to keep smiling...x

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