Could anyone please tell me about diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis?

Question

I have been having neurological problems for over 3 years now. Finally my doctor believes we could be close to finding out what I have. He believes it is MS. I am going to see a Neurologist and am just wondering what tests are going to be done to confirm it. I have heard about getting an MRI to look for brain legions. I also was told that a lumbar puncture can be done, too. The reading I have done about it has left me more confused than anything. My question is if I have the MRI done and it shows legions, does anymore testing have to be done? And if it doesn't show legions does that mean I don't have it or will the lumbar puncture be done? And what is being looked for in the spinal fluid that will confirm or rule out MS. And one final question, if it turns out that I don't have MS, are there other illnesses that have simular symptoms? (And Fibromyalgia has already been ruled out so we know it's not that) My doctor hasn't been too helpful. I am in the process of finding a new one but am also leery about having to start over with all the testing and guessing games. I just am ready to find out what the heck is going on so I know what I am dealing with. And I don't know if it matters but I have tried several different medications including Soma with codeine, Lyrica, Morphine, Amitryptoline, to name a few. I am pretty sensitive to a lot of the meds that should help but don't because of the side effects I have from them. I am currently taking two 50mg Ultram (tramadol) 3 to 4 times a day to control my pain enough so that I can actually walk. Without it I can't get out of bed. Thanks for any information you can provide ;)

Answer 1

Hello,

In my case , my MS was diagnosed using an MRI. the lesions were obvious and no further tests were needed .

The MRI was very easy,but long. I had MRI of both my head and neck , with and without contrast and took about 4 hours. I was a little nervous because I tend to get claustraphobic but a fan was near my head that blew in fresh air so I closed my eyes put on the head phones and fell asleep.

Electrical tests of the nerve pathways, known as evoked potentials, are very helpful in confirming whether MS has affected the visual, auditory, or sensory pathways. These tests are done by placing wires on the scalp to test the brain's response to certain types of stimulation, such as watching a pattern on a video screen, hearing a series of clicks, or receiving electrical impulses in your arm or leg.

Your doctor may order a blood test to help rule out conditions that mimic multiple sclerosis, but the presence of MS cannot be detected in the blood.

A few things that can possibly mimic MS are fibromylagia,lyme disease ,strokes and certain types of Ataxia ( I had a friend that was misdiagnosed with MS and later found it to be a type of Ataxia)A compressed disc can also cause numbness and Diabetes can cause nerve pain.I am sure there are others.

I have Neuropathy (nerve pain) in my right foot. If seems to bother me most if my feet get hot and can be very painful. I tried a couple of meds. The first was Nortriptlyne . it was good ,seemed to help with numbness in my hands but not so much with my foot but then my Dr changed me to Cymbalta . It was Great ! the pain is so much better !

Yoga is also great. the long slow stretches and relaxed breathing is wonderful ! I also love to get an occasional massage then a chiropractic adjustment .

If you do have MS, Know its not the end of the world . The majority of us with MS lead very normal lives. I wont kid you..living with MS can be a pain in the rear sometimes . We do have challenges but there are so many diseases that are worse.

Good Luck and STAY POSITIVE !

Answer 2

Unfortunately, there is no test from which a doctor can definitively diagnose Multiple Sclerosis. You can have MS and yet an MRI can show that you have no lesions at the onset of the disease. And because an MRI shows lesions does not mean that a person has MS. When doctors do a lumbar puncture they examine the spinal fluid to see if the organic components are there that combine to make the myelin that protects the nerves. As you probably know it is hypothesized that MS breaks down the myelin, but the truth is that the components of myelin do not always appear in the spinal fluid even for people who have progressive MS. This is why doctors do quite a number of tests to rule out other diseases. Suspected cases of MS have turned out ot be other conditions or diseases. MS symptoms can result from something as simple as a lack of specific combinations of vitamins and minerals or as serious as Devic's disease which is fatal and not related at all to MS. So no one can possibly tell you what other tests your doctor might decide to give you. It all depends on the symptoms that you have. I have had MS for 18 years now. It took ten years for me to get a diagnosis. And I can tell you that the best thing that you can do for yourself is to go to a neurologist who specializes in MS to get a diagnosis. Better yet, call the National MS Society and find out the nearest MS clinic and make an appointment. When and if a lesion does show up on an MRI, it takes a well trained eye to determne if it is indicative of MS. I am sorry you are in pain, and hope you are able to get a diagnosis soon. If you should find out you have MS, please keep in mind that it is not a death sentence. There is plenty of life after the diagnosis.Although I have MS, I lead a normal life. As rj said above, MS is a ripping pain in the keester at times. But for the most part I am happy as a clam and life could not be better or fuller at this point. Good luck, sweetie!

Answer 3

If you don't feel your doctor is supportive, you can go to a new one w/o having to do all the tests again. Just sign over permission so the new doctor can request your medical records. That's what I did. . . I was referred to a neurologist about a year ago before they finally DID rule in Fibro. He asked me a few questions, sent me to have a nerve damage test, and decided it wasn't MS. It never got to the MRI stage. I fought the Fibro diagnosis for about 2 years and finally had to come to terms with it. I too am in so much constant pain that getting up in the morning is a constant struggle. Walking is VERY difficult. My arms always feel heavy. etc, etc. I've tried every one of the meds you've mentioned and they never did anything for me. I'm now on a muscle relaxer that at least helps me rest at night. Good luck!

Answer 4

MS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Basically they rule out everything else out. MS also is different in different people. My 2 cousins have it and there intial symptoms were very different. You need to see a doc who specializes in MS not just a GP or internist. You need to see a neurologist or a physiatrist (doctor of physical medicine and rehab)



Here is a great link



www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/do-i-have-ms/index.aspx



Call your local MS society for a referal to their clinic.