Hi jenn
there is no blood test for MS, instead it is a diagnosis by elimination - meaning they test your for everything and when those all come back negative they look at what possible disease is left - MS. If they do the full blood work up you will be tested for Lyme, Syphillis and B-12 deficiencies, among other things.
In a perfect world there will be a test for MS, but for now the MRI, LP and blood tests to eliminate other things are the lab tests that can be done, in addition to a full neurological exam.
My best,
Lulu
Thanks for letting me know what will come.
Yes, I was diagnosed with Sarcoid in 2006. While it is still active my symptoms have been low until now. My doctor did tell me this could be Neuro Sarcoid also. So, I will wait and see what happens...My appt. is the 18th.
Are there a certain blood test that they do when they test you for MS?
Thanks again for all your help. I will let you know what I find out.
Thanks for the information.
Yes, I have an appt. with a neuro on the 18th. hopefully we will figure something out.
thanks again
Hi and Welcome to this forum - I'm glad you decided to check us out. This group of folks is every bit as kind and knowledgeable as your Sarc board companions.
My initial neuro appt was 90 minutes - he reviewed everything and was very business like trying to make sense of my symptoms. I had lots of perplexing questions that he had to overcome first before giving me the definite MS diagnosis, including my age.
Do you have a neuro appt scheduled yet? I hope you will visit here often with your questions and let these kind people help,
My heartfelt best to you,
Lulu (aka: Laura!)
Hi
Welcome! You'll find lots of info and friends here and I hope you decide to stay awhile. You'll find some really good information in our health pages in the upper right hand corner. It discusses everything from symptoms of MS , to diagnosing MS, types of MS..etc..check it out when you get a chance.
What to expect:
Expect a good history to be taken..meaning all your current symptoms, past symptoms, family history, illness, surgeries...etc. Questions and answering time.
Expect a good neurological exam to be taken..meaning...checking reflexes, having you walk across the floor, finger to nose test, checking sensation, rubbing an instrument on the bottom of your foot..a good 20-30 min.
Expect test to be ordered...blood test, MRIs, maybe even evoke potentials.
There isn't one test that could say that you have MS or not. It's a combination of test, history, and abnormalities on exam. The one thing that I did notice is that you were diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a MS mimic and can cause MS like symptoms but that's not to say that you can't have both. They will have to definitely have to do further work up on you to see what is at play. I would recommend a good MS specialist if I was you.
I imagine I probably left some things out..but I'm sure others will chime in.
I hoped this helped