How to disgnose ms

[sissy328]

what are some of the tests done to find out if someone has MS

[Lulu54]

Hi sissy,
Welcome to the MS forum here.  You have received some good answers here already.

In the case of diagnosing MS,  it is more a case of testing for everything else and seeing what you DON'T have.  This is truly a diagnosis of exclusion - the doctors must be sure that it is MS and not one of the many mimics.

We have great health pages here (yellow icon, upper right side) that were written by community members.  One outlines the MS mimics --

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/MS-Mimics---Part-I/show/375?cid=36

Here is a HP that talks about what you should expect if your doctor thinks you might have MS-

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/My-family-doctor-says-I-may-have-MSwhat-do-I-do-now/show/149?cid=36


When you feel like it, I hope you will tell us a bit about yourself and what has the doctor thinking MS.  

Welcome again,
Lulu

[starryeyes1]

There isn't any 1 test that diagnoses MS. Unfortunately, that is why so many are in "limboland".

In my case, my PCP ordered MRI's with and without contrast. I was having major trouble walking straight as well as tingling in my legs and feet, blurry eye. My MRI turned up normal. I had an ENT and Audiologist examine me thinking the balance problem was due to my ears, those tests came out normal.

I saw a nuerologist who did nerve conduction tests and VEP 2 different times (visual evoked potential) which also came out normal. He didn't think there was anything wrong with me and kept pushing my appts out farther and farther.

I had another MRI which finally showed a lesion. My nuero was not "impressed" with this info and still wouldn't diagnose me even tho I couldn't walk without assistance. He refused to even consider the Spinal telling me that I would end up with a spinal headache and the test would not be accurate.

I asked him about the drug therapy in the event that it was MS and he said that the drugs side affects are worse than the symptoms and they don't do anything anyway..

I sent all my medical records to an MS specialist out of state. I travelled up there and Within 10 minutes of my first appt with him, I was diagnosed. It came down to the MRI's, the symptoms, my family history (my dad has MS), my age, and after the dx, he still wanted to do the Spinal Tap just to further confirm, which came out showing him what he suspected.

My new nuero found more lesions that were missed by the radiologist and the other nuero who was completely insensitve and rude.

The total time from my first real symptom to dx was a yr and a half. It was a lot of different Dr's and alot of tests but eventually I was dx and even tho I hate MS, I am glad to know that I wasn't crazy.

Keep pushing for an answer!
Hugs,
Kristi

[willy851]

I just had tests for MS.
First the doctors tests balance, coordination, reflexes, strength and eyes. He asks what your symptoms are and if possible orders an MRI of brain and cervical spine.
My doc didn't order an MRI with contrast so even tough nothing showed up on the MRI I don't trust the results. I read to many posts that stated their MRI missed the beginning stages because of the lack of contrast. The next test is a spinal tap to test the fluid in the spine. But there is no test that is conclusive.
The only symptom that hasn't been explained is my left foot and leg feel cold. When I walk my leg feels like it's weak. But I can squat down to the ground on either leg without any problem.