Hi Noah,
You are not railroaded into depending on VA for your healthcare! Unfortunately you might have to pay for a second opinion "on the outside" but imvho it would be well worth it.

Personally I believe the sooner we identify MS and start treating it the better and I do not understand your Dr.'s claim that starting a medication now might inhibit your body's future response to a better medication if something better becomes available.

In any event like the others said it often takes time to get a firm diagnosis but I would want to do whatever I could to advocate for answers for myself. Best of luck to you and I pray it isn't MS for you. Jules

Thank you for the responses.. I am extremely thankful.

I have pondered seeking a second opinion but unfortunately I do have insurance and I am currently unemployed. I was in school but since I had to drop out last semester because of the diplopia they are trying to stick me with a $6000 bill and will not let me take any more classes until I pay that back...

Really not sure what to do, this is why I feel like I am being railroaded to the VA doctor who I am not sure is a MS specialist. His profile online says hes a spine doctor.

hi noah and welcome to NT,
i would think that within the VA system you could seek out a 2nd opinion. even a good neurologist could give you that.

i also would get copies of the test results and the mri in case other drs you see will want to review it all. i'm a big proponent of starting your own medical file. down the road you will be glad you have it.

it does take some time to dx (diagnose) MS. it's also a process of elimination, eliminating other diseases. that mean labwork and serial mri's (mri checks down the road).

follow thru with this dr. at least he's willing to see you and do another mri.
in the meantime keep a sx (symptom) journal with the date and the sx you have. you might also consider seeing a neuro opthamologist if you have any more eye problems. opthamologist's have been able to dx MS IF they see certain eye changes.

hope to hear how you are.