how long did it take for doctors to finally diagnose ms

[ShastaDaisy]

I would love to know what the average time frame it took doctors to figure out you had ms.  I think they finally got it. But my whole left side is numb and weak. Muscle spasms are out of control and i have no idea if anything can help me. I am going crazy!!  I have had symptoms for well over 5 years.  

[kwarendorf]

I am one of the "lucky" ones :-) From the time I started looking, it was about 8 weeks until I had a second opinion confirmed diagnosis. All of my stars were aligned. My clinical exam was comical. I looked like I had been drinking for a week. My blood test all came back negative for MS mimics. I had old and new lesions in both my brain and c-spine. And the 'piece de resitance' was a positive LP.

Kyle

[maxthecat43]

I've also had this a long time, didn't really start the diagnostic process until about 2 1/2 years ago.  It's pretty variable.  My sister-in-law was pretty much diagnosedin the ER.  She had both older lesions, and newer enhancing lesions in her brain-and lots of spinal cord involvement.  Pretty much a slam dunk for her, because she got a fairly aggressive case.  Not so for me.  My symptoms were mild enough for me to pass off as chiropractic problems for many years.  When I finally figured out something was actually wrong, I went to a total of four different neurologists.  I had five mri's, and two lumbar punctures.  

[twopack]

Here's a link to a poll we took.  It's been more than a year ago already and only a little over 50 members participated but it's the best I can offer.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Time-to-Diagnosis/show/1588224

I'll bump it to the top of the recent posts as well.  Maybe we can rekindle interest.

[SarahL2491]

I don't think there is an "average time".  Some people get it sooner than others.  Mine took 30 yrs.  

Have you seen a doctor ?  You haven't given us much to go on.