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.

welcome to NT,

well, you've heard a lot from the best and most knowledgeable folks here.
don't let your drs railroad into a box with a dx such as fibromyalgia, or hormones or depression. not that yours have but to me that's not a dr that's looking for an answer to your problem.

while some have had a long and difficult road to dx i was dx in 2 mos and at 53 yrs old. i developed a worsening gait problem. i had an abnormal neuro exam. my dr found lesions in my CNS; brain and spinal cord. it was at that point that i was dx'd. after that i had a spinal tab and was + for O bands. you can be dx'd without an LP.

i would suggest from now on that you collect copies of the dr's dictations and of all your mri and test results. for 1 thing you may learn something, for another you may find a mistake. and then, if you end up seeing other drs they will want copies of these things. if you get the info along the way it will be free. if you get it in 1 fell swoop you'll be charged.

please let us know how your appt goes. we're here for you.
write down all your Q's and try to take a friend or family member as support and another set of ears.

Just reading your responses brought tears to my eyes because it makes me feel not so alone. The fear and anxiety that this has caused has made me contemplate suicide daily (although since its against my religion i dont think i would) Im really scared and what scares me even more is i dont have family members or friends that would really help me if i needed it, my husband is pretty "worldly" and i dont think he would stay very long with me if i had it being that he is still young and would want a "normal" life and family, which is another fear that ill be without...im only 26 and i know this sounds awful but i wouldnt want to live for the next possible 70 years waking up everyday wondering whether i would be able to see/speak/walk/move/cognatively function that day...how would i live? how would i work? especially without any help...Im so scared guys you all are so positive that i hate to be a damper or talk so negatively and morbid but ive never really been one to accept things and try to make the best of it even though im trying to..I got more blood tests results back that said my rhematoid was high and i had a sllight above normal ANA which tells me that its probably autoimmune and after searching thru every autoimmune disease out there none of my symptoms fit any criteria except for MS...thanks for all your prayers and concerns and for allowing me to vent on here and to share my fears, you all are so beautiful for caring so much about the people on here and showing support

It is a hard and scary time going through the dx process with any disease. What you are going through is normal. You will be ok and you will be able to get through it.

Something for you to keep in mind. There are many MSers that lead normal lives. They have minimal problems and/or flares and continue to do the things they normally do. Most MSers fall somewhere in between minimal problems and complete disability.

Additionally, I'm not sure what symptoms you are having but since your rheumatoid factor is high and your ANA is above normal, it may be that some of what you are experiencing is from RA. Did your doctor mention RA to you?

Hang in there and know that you will be just fine and we are here to help you through it.

You may be worrying about a disease you don't even have. There are so many different conditions/diseases that have symptoms similar to MS. There is no blood test that would give an indication of MS.

As far as your age and the concerns you have if you have MS:

I was diagnosed at the age of 24 with symptoms that go back to childhood. I had been married for 4 years at that time. We have lived a relatively "normal" life for 30 years. We have 2 children who are 19 & 21 years old.

I am now 50 and have had this disease most of my life. I have had a good life inspite of this disease.