As the title says, what procedures should I have done to figure out if I have MS? The only ones I can think of are an MRI and a lumbar puncture, I'm willing to do an MRI but I'm afraid of getting a lumbar puncture because I'm VERY sensitive to pain, I'm even afraid of getting regular shots because of the pain! Will it hurt if I take a pain medication beforehand? What are the risks? Also my parents don't want me to get it done, but if it is absolutely needed to diagnose me, I'm pretty sure I can convince them. Anyways, here are my symptoms: fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, trouble solving problems, lack of concentration, numbness in my pinky finger and about half of my ring finger (right hand), double vision, sudden losses of balance, lack of coordination, memory loss, sudden onsets of shaking, difficulty making decisions (poor judgement), difficulty finding right words, I don't know what to call this symptom but its when I'm trying to say a word but I say something else and I'm like "Oops, I didn't mean to say that!". And I get sick with the flu every year, and each year my fever that I usually get with sickness gets even worse. The worst temperature I've ever had was a 102.9. My right hand will "freeze up" and I won't be able to move it. I also have knee pain.

My dad has MS, just in case that fact helps.

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.

I think that one is aphasia. My mom has that from a head injury. If she gets really flustered, she cant get the words out at all.

Thank you everyone! I've already gotten a blood test done and there wasn't anything bad there. I'm trying to get an MRI soon. Again thanks!

I had my spinal tap done in the xray department of the hospital. The used xray to guide the needle. I really don't think it hurts that much anyway but my pain tolerance is pretty good and I was a nurse so it was interesting! But it is nice to know that the xray is guiding the doctors hands and eyes as to where to put the needle.

Hello, I just joined here & it seems for the same reasons you are here too, how to get dx of MS. I am 150%+ possitive I have it bc of my symptoms that I had way before I ever knew what MS was. Also, I've had 2 spinal taps, 1 was done sitting on edge of a gourney & the 2nd was via live Xray. Definately ask for the live Xray if you have a choice but either way the other wasn't so bad & it is necessary for the dx process. If you notice my profile pic there is a crack in my brain & I wish I could load more pics bc it goes thru MANY layers of the MRI. Also I have Numerous White Spots to Grey shapes in my MRI pics as well as some LARGE Black Holes in my Brain-so I really wish I could add more images-I may change them from time to time. Since your dad has MS you at least have family medical history-I have no family medical history so even with the HIGH Protien in my S.T. & all those things on my MRI images of my brain I still am undiagnosed. I wish I could help you bc I know just how very frustrating it is to get the help we need when we feel so horrible. Good luck to you-I will be praying for you-that you don't have it bc it is so horrible as you probably already know bc your dad has it. It is good you are checking it early bc early detection and dx helps. I am ashamed to say I had no idea abt MS and how much suffering it causes before I got it-Now I get it! I Wish you well!

Hello MS Diagnosed and Welcome to NeuroTalk

A Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) is not always necessary for a MS diagnosis. There are those who have a MS diagnosis and either didn't have a Lumbar Puncture or the result for it was negative. The LP can be used to indicate other conditions as well as MS.

Information about the LP:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003428.htm

In the case of MS a positive LP would show Oligoclonal Banding (O-Bands) in the spinal fluid.

Information on Oligoclonal Banding:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003631.htm

I am not sure why you have had 2 LPs. If there are o-bands there would be no reason to repeat a LP as once you have o-bands you will always have o-bands in the spinal fluid...to the best of my knowledge and per my neuro.

I would guess that the majority of us who have had a LP would not care to repeat it, myself included

I wish you all the best in the diagnositic process.

Welcome to NeuroTalk, Ms DX, nice to meet you. Come on in and join us..