I'm not sure if I have MS or not but I have so many symptoms of it and a huge gut instinct that is what my neuro issues are but all MRI's have came back clear until recent tests showed 'something wrong'- soon will have a very extensive neurological exam to rule out what is the actual dx. I do have an inner ear problem with migrane associated vertigo with severe hearing loss. TONS of MS symptoms since 2005...

I have read that a lot of you here have waited years and years for dx.. I've been told so many horrid things by doctors to my face it is just humiliating. Even my family has told me that by this point. It is just depressing.

Hey CoffeeGirl. Face went numb, went to Dr's that day and made him see me. Ordered MRI that I took home, saw the spots, saw/met a neuro within 2 weeks? Ordered spinal tap within a week. Spinal tap showed myelin basic protein in the high 20's. Should be almost 0 I think. 3 weeks? However im a paraplegic so I didnt know till it reached my face Thought increased spasms were from c6-7 injury so I increased baclofen year prior.
3 weeks or a 52 + 3 for dx.

I had unexplained neurological symptoms starting in 1964, that would come and go, but I didn't seek a DX until 1974, my PCP thought MS right away but was DX with Periferal Neuopathy at that time.

The following year Doc sent me to a Neuro for tests. The Neuro put me in the hospital and did many tests. The myliogram/LP came back positive for a demylinating disease and Neuro, putting all the tests together, DXed me with MS, in 1976.

4 years. but since the doc was so unprofessional I went at least 3 of those 4 in silence about my symptoms. I feel for you.....

Everyone will have a different diagnosis experience, some are diagnosed quicker than others.

In my case, diagnosis took about 3 or 4 months. I was in the middle of a severe exacerbabtion during the diagnostic process.

I was diagnosed based on a positive Lumbar Puncture, neuro exam and symptoms.

I was also dx rather quickly -- three weeks. I also had a severe exacerbation. first MRI showed 4 lesions; 2nd of spine showed one. I also had a positive spinal tap. I did not realize it was a quick dx at the time. I was 50 when I was dx, but probably had MS for several years. Symptoms during that time were mild.

Me too! I was seeing the neuro for the first time (neuro #2 of 2... thankfully I only had 1 bum doc!) after my ENT doc sent the city hospital my MRI findings from his research, and I insisted on an MRI and he agreed and sent me for one.

I remember the kind hospital nurses took in this pale, skinny, nervous wreck of a girl who hadn't slept in days and put her on the Solu Medrol drip. I didn't know what the heck was going on!.. all I knew is I could taste pennies, and I had to do this for 6 days 3.5 hours each time (eeeesh!).

During this, 11 vials of blood drawn, spinal tap (lumbar puncture), question and answer session and assessment of cognitive/motor skills.

For me, the blood drawn and the spinal headache following the LP (bad, bad Laura for cleaning house 4 hours after getting home!!) were the worst parts, other than the limbo of waiting on the results!

Ok tangent, sorry! Just sharing my experience and went off a bit there lol!

From my initial 'searching' to find answers? 2 years. I had to be 110% proactive, contacting doctors myself and doing a lot of my own research and begging for help. I had to listen to a lot of condescending "Aww, poor woman!" responses from doctors, or the 'stress' excuse.

I hope you can get your answers without too much hassle and leg work.

^^~~ Yes!!!

Thank you everyone for sharing your information. It is very helpful. I have been going at this for five years and feel like I'm going nuts. Not sure what they will come up with at this point. I have requested an MRI of my spine and no one will listen to me; of course because I'm a patient.

Sally- I'm so sorry you went thru that for such a long time. Owie!! How on earth did you deal with all of it for that long? I hope they come up with something for me. I'm beginning to just lose it. Literally!?!? ((hugs))

Thank you again for your support. I know that everyone at this forum is going thru an awful lot in their lives. This illness is not one that can be taken easily. It is very difficult; emotionally, psychologically and physically- on the person with the illness and their familes/friends. Even though I do not have it/or who knows if I do/not, I am very aware of that. My heart goes out to everyone here. Thinking of you all.

Coffeegirl

I have had unexplained sx most of my adult life. bizzare this, and strange that, and loads of feeling great in between, followed by long periods of exhaustion and strange things. in 2001 I had major flare, but the tests showed nothing wrong. big flare in 2006 and the MRI showed many lesions, and the big MS center said I have had MS for quite a while, but many MDs missed the signs. it took me six years. I was given the migraine/stress lable for many years.

Took me many yrs.( at least 20) and quite a few doctors. It wasn't until my legs went numb and I could not walk that my doc at the time said " something is definately wrong" DUH, ya think!..hope you find answers soon.