To worry about spine/ brain lesions and referral to neurology

[Poodlebreath]

Apologies I’m posting for traffic as I can’t really talk to anyone in real life.

I had a neck MRI due to burning/ shooting pains in my neck, which showed a small lesion on my spinal cord. I was told this could be incidental but a brain MRI was recommended. This has shown some brain lesions but again my GP emphaised that everyone has a few of these and they may mean nothing but he has to refer to Neurology. I haven’t seen the MRI report so don’t have all the details.

Has anyone been in this situation or have any advice? If it’s all nothing to worry about I’m not sure why the referral is necessary and from reading about it having both spinal cord and brain lesions isn’t a good sign. I’m mid 40s.

I have multiple lesions on my brain which totally freaked me out when I heard about them but apparently they are meaningless…

Thanks for replying @LapinR0se I wonder what it is that makes them meaningless or not. That’s the confusing part.

I think it’s their location and size

Yup - I have MS so mine were the less good kind. MS lesions tend to show up in particular locations in the brain and have particular characteristics. And most people will also have characteristic symptoms too. If the ones on your scan are suspicious of this you will be offered more tests by the neurologist.

Most people will have a few lesions if you scanned everyone later in their life. If you were in your teens it would probably be more concerning. Unfortunately, there really is no way of knowing until you see the neurologist.

Honestly, it can go either way. Either it is nothing to worry about or it is something that will affect your health and quality of life. Only neurology can give you the answer so try not to worry until you see them (I know it is easier said than done as neurology waiting times are about 47 weeks in my area)

Thank you for your replies. I know it can go either way and without the expert opinion of a neurologist there’s no way of knowing. I don’t know the likely waiting time yet.

It may be worth calling neurology admin to ask what their waiting list is like. I know our admins are always happy to give estimated waiting times.

Thanks I will give them a call and check. My GP said if there’s a long wait I could consider paying to be seen privately but at the same time tried to reassure me that there was probably nothing to worry about. I think the uncertainty is difficult.

So an update. Apparently it’s a 6 month waiting list for a routine referral. I presume mine will be classed as routine. If I go private I can get seen in 3 months. I could pay for the private appointment but think it’s better to just stay in the NHS system because I may need other scans, tests etc.