Possible Misdiagnosis?

I was diagnosed with MS in 2006 due to one episode of decreased feeling and motor function on my left side Face, arm and leg. MRI showed multiple legions in the lower ponds and LP showed a positive result for MS. I have had NO symptoms since and am not, nor have I ever been taking treatment. Is it possible that I don’t have MS?

[Red_Star]

"The basic "rule" for diagnosing MS relies on two criteria:

There must have been two attacks at least one month apart. An attack, also known as an exacerbation, flare, or relapse, is a sudden appearance of or worsening of an MS symptom or symptoms which lasts at least 24 hours.

There must be more than one area of damage to central nervous system myelin - the sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. The damage to myelin must have occurred at more than one point in time and not have been caused by any other disease that can cause demyelination or similar neurologic symptoms."

- MS Australia

[Lulu54]

Welcome to the MS forum.  I'm glad you found us here.  The clinical exam and symptoms the doctors found back in 2006 must have clearly pointed to MS because it is not a diagnosis that is given without much thought.

Have you done much research on MS or just tucked the knowledge that you have it away and gotten on with the rest of living?  If you have read about it, you will already know that there is no set length of time that relapsing-remitting MS will stay quiet.  The relapses are unpredicable and you can go years or even decades without a relapse.

Have you had a followup exam/MRI in recent years to see if your MS has changed?  Scientists/doctors know that even if you think the MS is quiet, it can continue to change in the background.

I was diagnosed three years ago but looking back, I have probably had MS for 20 years.  I just never gave MS a thought when I had similarly mild symptoms and I didn't even go to the doctor.  I wish I had the opportunity to start therapy back then - perhaps my leg would have not gone permanently numb.

There is a category of MS that some people use, called "benign" MS - but that is not a good choice. We really can't know the true course of our disease until post-mortem - Only when we are at the end of our life will be know for sure what damage our MS has caused.  I've heard an estimate of 5-15% fall into this category that they have MS and are really never bothered by the symptoms.  

Sorry to have answered your question with so many questions - it is always possible that your diagnosis was wrong, but my guess is that you are just fortunate to have been in remission  for 5+ years. This is a fair question to address with your neurologist - I ask mine that same question every time I see him - "are you sure?"

be well,
Lulu