Why are doctors reluctant to diagnose MS?

Some conditions that doctors may commonly misdiagnose as MS include migraine, RIS, spondylopathy, and neuropathy. To accurately diagnose MS, doctors must rule out conditions with similar symptoms and look for signs and symptoms specific to MS. As such, the process of diagnosing MS may be lengthy and complex.

Why won't my doctor diagnose me with MS?

A Tough Code to Break. Multiple sclerosis happens when there's scarring in a part of your central nervous system. But there's no test or list of symptoms that definitely signals the disease. So doctors look at symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests, like MRI scans.

Why is MS so difficult to diagnose?

Diagnosing MS is complicated because no single test can positively diagnose it. Other possible causes of your symptoms may need to be ruled out first. It may also not be possible to confirm a diagnosis if you have had only 1 attack of MS-like symptoms.

What is MS most commonly misdiagnosed as?

Nonetheless, studies indicate that the most frequent disorders mistaken for MS were diagnoses such as functional neurologic disorders and migraine, in which presentations typical of MS-related demyelination are unlikely.

How long can you have MS before diagnosis?

“But there could be some benefit to enrolling patients with milder symptoms, too.” The study found that later-presenting patients often had five to 10 years of prodromal symptoms like fatigue and generalized weakness before getting a diagnosis of MS.

How we diagnose Multiple Sclerosis

How fast does MS progress without medication?

In many patients, over a span of 5 to 15 years, the attacks begin more indolently, persist more chronically and remit less completely, gradually transforming into a pattern of steady deterioration rather than episodic flares.

What are overlooked symptoms of MS?

What is the sister disease to MS?

Neuromyelitis optica is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS) or seen as a type of MS . But NMO is a different condition. Neuromyelitis optica can cause blindness in one or both eyes, weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, and painful spasms.

When should you suspect multiple sclerosis?

Myelin damage and the nervous system

Common symptoms include: Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time. Tingling. Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)

What disease is like MS but worse?

Vision loss with MS usually affects one eye at a time, but Devic's disease/NMO may affect both eyes at the same time. Symptoms are generally more severe for the Devic's disease/NMO attack than the MS attack. A specific blood marker that is found in people with Devic's disease/NMO is not found in people with MS.

What makes a doctor suspect multiple sclerosis?

In order to make an MS diagnosis, the physician must: Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND. Find evidence that the damage occurred at different points in time AND. Rule out all other possible diagnoses.

How long does it take a neurologist to diagnose MS?

The process of diagnosis can take months, in some cases years, and is often referred to as 'limboland'. In this factsheet we look at the early symptoms of MS and hope to answer some of the common questions that you might have at this time. The contents include: Why does a diagnosis take so long?

What to do while waiting for MS diagnosis?

Many members of the MS community suggested that patients try to stay present as much as possible. Ways to avoid worrying include staying busy with work, watching movies, gardening, and spending time (even virtually) with friends, children or grandchildren. “Do not get ahead of yourself!” “Stay in the moment.

What is typically the first symptom of MS?

Vision problems: One of the most common early symptoms of MS are visual problems. Pain, when you move your eyes, is another red flag.

What is the first indicator of MS?

One of the more obvious first signs of MS is a problem with vision, known as optic neuritis. This is often because it's a more concrete symptom as opposed to vaguer neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.

What is the new blood test for MS?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough device designation to the Elecsys Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) test for multiple sclerosis (MS).

What confirms multiple sclerosis?

An MRI scanner uses a strong magnetic field to create a detailed image of inside your brain and spinal cord. It's very accurate and can pinpoint the exact location and size of any inflammation, damage or scarring (lesions). MRI scans confirm a diagnosis in over 90 per cent of people with MS.

How quickly does MS progress?

Between 1 and 2 in every 10 people with the condition start their MS with a gradual worsening of symptoms. In primary progressive MS, symptoms gradually worsen and accumulate over several years, and there are no periods of remission, though people often have periods where their condition appears to stabilise.

What triggers multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

What is the MS hug?

The 'MS hug' is an MS symptom where you feel pain or tightness around the chest or stomach area. It's not dangerous, but it can be frightening, especially if you haven't come across it before.

What does MS feel like in legs?

The weakness can make your legs feel heavy, as if they are being weighed down by something. They may also ache and hurt. Some people with MS describe it as like having bags of sand attached to their legs. This muscle weakness combined with MS fatigue can be upsetting.

What does MS neuropathy feel like?

Neuropathic pain happens from “short circuiting” of the nerves that carry signals from the brain to the body because of damage from MS. These pain sensations feel like burning, stabbing, sharp and squeezing sensations. In MS you can experience acute neuropathic pain and chronic neuropathic pain.

How does MS affect your feet?

Foot drop, or dropped foot, is a symptom of multiple sclerosis caused by disruption in the nerve pathway between the legs and your brain. This disruption means it is difficult to lift the front of your foot to the correct angle during walking.

Can MS be stopped if caught early?

We know early treatment improves long-term health and wellbeing by slowing down the build up of irreversible damage and reducing the number of relapses people experience. Starting MS treatment early is best but if you start later it can also have some benefits.

Can MS be mild forever?

Some people who are diagnosed with it never go on to have a more serious disease progression, while others do. Remember, just because you have mild symptoms when you're first diagnosed with MS doesn't mean that they'll stay that way.