MS?

Is it possible to have a misdiagnosis of MS and it be Lyme disease.

[happyvalley]

I think so because my neuro has thought for several months that I have MS--but my LP was clean though, so on Monday I was tested for Lyme. Get the results in the next few days.

[sllowe]

Alst,

Hi, haven't seen you before - so welcome!

Well, you bring up a good question.  And, I'm basically a generalist when it comes to many things, but, Lyme disease is definitely one of the diseases that is checked for as a "mimic" of MS.  There are many.  

A good Neuro will do LOTS of blood work to rule in- or out other diseases while completing a work up to find out what is- or is not going on.  

It's so hard to know all of these mimics in and out.  MS is a clinical diagnosis, however, there are a lot of test that can be done to support the dx.  I'm sure I didn't explain that very well, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum.

So, stick around!  Read the health pages  - there is much more thorough info on the testing there than what I've mentioned.  You'll find we have so many subject matter experts here, and I'm sure they will pop in soon!

be well,
SL

[JonM]

Agreee with SL, this is relativly common.  If you live in an area known for this disease or spent time in one you should get Lyme ruled out.
JonM

[speechgeek]

ALST

There are a lot of people that have been misdiagnosed with MS when it's really lyme. My docs were looking at ALS and MS based on my symptoms and test results. I have lyme. The thing that most people don't realize is that steriods and steroid based meds make lyme worse. When pateints don't respond to the treatments and get worse it's just brushed off.

Like MS ...lyme is a clinical diagnosis because the current tests availble are not accurate and the FDA and the CDC have clearly stated that the tests for this disease have issues. Not everyone finds a tick or gets a bulls eye rash. I found a tick but I did not have a bulls eye rash. Lyme has been documented in 49 states and  it's not just "a disease of  the north east"

When you get tested you need to ask for a western blot. There are 2 parts and ask your doc to run the western blot  Igg and Igm. He may tell you it's negative then the next question is "did any bands come back positive." There is much more to share with regards to lyme but if you google lyme and western blots and Elise and all things related you will know more than most doctors in 30 minutes.

As previously stated there are many disease that mimic MS so it's important that a full work up be completed.  Best of luck.

Rebeccah