Hey everyone, im trying to get as much information before i have my first neuro appt so maybe you guys could help with all my questions. Is there a way to compeltely rule out MS after (MCdonald) tests have been done or could it still be present and the tests not show? Also, do dr.s always just diagnose you with fibromyalgia or neuropahy if they cant find a reason? Are there any other autoimmune diseases that mimic ms? I know B12 deficiencys graves celiec etc. can but i dont have any stomach issues or absorbtion issues so im not thinking it could be those..anyways thanks everyone for being so informative to people like me. Please keep me in your prayers to be MS free

Unfortunately, there are some other conditions that mimic MS and that's why it sometimes takes so long to get a diagnosis. It's just an elimination game.

Devics Disease is similar to MS (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disord...s_disease.aspx).

Lyme Disease is similar (http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arth...s-lyme-disease).

Plus, there are many different severities of MS. Someone might have a mild case of it with minimal symptoms while someone else might have a severe case of it with many different symptoms.

Hello and welcome CalGirl. I think Kitty said it all, very well. One test is not enough.

Stay with us and let us know how you are doing.

I'm praying 1st for nothing worse than MS, then, no MS, then, Mild MS.

There are lots of things that can mimic MS and MS can mimic lots of things. For some the dx process is quick, while others it is long and drawn out. For me, it took about 3 years for a definite diagnosis, despite having lesions.

You can have a positive MRI and no clinical symptoms. You can also have clinical symptoms and a clear MRI. An MRI is just a tool, not a definitive test. MRI's are done in slices and can miss a lesion in that 1/4" slice.

Fibro and neuropathy are not often catch alls for when they can't find a definite diagnosis of a disease process. Many people live their entire lives without a dx of any disease but still have neurological symptoms.

Hang in there and let us know how things go. And ask any questions you want. There are so many great and supportive people on here with lots of knowledge and information.

My neuro has dx me with TM (transverse myelitis) in the absence of lesions or any other "smoking gun" indications of MS. TM is inflammation of the spinal cord, and often is dx after a sudden onset of paralysis, which I did not have. What I do have aplenty is inflammation: Crohn's, episcleritis, carpal tunnel, arthritis in hand and neck. Eight years ago my first neuro called it peripheral neuropathy, which it is not, according to my current doc, who is a specialist in MS and TM. My experience of what-ever-it-is seems to be closest to Primary-Progressive MS, in that I have had no time off from my symptoms. The closest thing I have to a remission is two good days in a row, with some bad moments in them. If I ever hit tha third day feeling good, I would think I had been miraculously cured!

There are more than 100 diseases that can mimic MS including the lesions in the brain, so its a process, and not normally a big jump. Most MDs will start ruling out the stuff they can rule out, like vitamin def stuff. B12/D and so on. Then they look for inflammation markers for RA, sjoghrens, lupus, lyme...if those bear out negative they move onto the MRI studies and look to see how many lesions, and where they are placed in your brain or spinal canal.

Most will take a spinal tap as well. (normally only positive if taken while you are IN a flare of sx) They follow your MRI from today to the next three or six months and look for changes. There are some MDs that will dx you simply based on your symptoms only, and wont keep you on limbo isle, but its more common for them to be completely sure. Once they write MS on your medical form its life changing. You cant get insurance or life insurance on your own. your employement is at risk in some cases, and it can be a blessing or a curse. A blessing to help you get help, but a curse if you want insurance.

I wish you luck. its a long road, but many of us know each step and are happy to walk with you.