Hello MissChainChomp and Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am sorry your dad has MS I can understand why you are probably worried about having MS.

Have you talked to your Primary Care Physician about your symptoms and concerns? Have you been to an Optometrist or Opthamologist in regards to your vision problems (double vision)? Your dad would be a good resource for information about the diagnostic process.

If you are prone to getting the flu it would probably be a good idea to get a flu vaccine each year

MS is a diagnosis of exclusion, other reasons for a persons symptoms must be ruled out before MS can be considered. Blood tests are the first thing that needs to be done as this can rule in or out other causes for symptoms.

There is a criteria for diagnosing MS...The McDonald Criteria. Although the Lumbar Puncture can be helpful for some in recieving a MS diagnosis it is not always necessary. There is no single test, by it's self, that will produce a diagnosis of MS.

This link to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will give you some information about diagnosing MS:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...-ms/index.aspx

I do hope your symptoms are not a result of MS and can be easily resolved

Hello MCC nice to meet you. I hope you stay and let us support you through the DX process.

I and my Daughter have MS. Just because your Dad has it, though, doesn't mean that you have it. But your symptoms certainly do need checking out.

Welcome..

Hi MCC! Welcome!

I'm sorry to hear all that you are experiencing. As Sally mentioned, you do need to get them checked out. As for testing for MS, I didn't have lumbar puncture in my dx process. Between the MRI (with lesions in the locations that MS "likes") and clinical symptoms I was dx. Talk to your neurologist about the dx process as well as your sensitivity to pain. Should he decide to do the lumbar puncture there may be things he can do or give you to help ease any pain.

Let us know how in goes. In the meantime time, saying prayers for you.