Hi, my name is Vicki. My husband has a condition. We are trying to solve the mystery. We can't get a definitive diagnosis and there is no treatment plan for that. We think he has MS, social security has given him disability for MS like symptoms. We have been going to doctors for this condition since 1996. Our problems is we cannot get a diagnosis. He has tried a lot of different types of medication for his symptoms. The negative side effects of those treatments weren't worth the benefits. The VA docs saw an unknown mass inside his spinal cord, they labeled that cervical mylopathy. I am trying to help my husband out in researching so that we can get an MS diagnosis and get his benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs. We have five beautiful children. We live in a gorgeous state. BK goes to school. I stay at home. Hope to hear from you all. Vicki

So when they saw the mass - they didn't order more scans or testing to be sure what it was??
There are new imaging techniques that are pretty detailed now- how long has it been since a scan/imaging was done?

Hello mamakittler and welcome to NeuroTalk.

It can be difficult to get a diagnosis for MS. There is not any one test that will rule out/in MS. There are also many things that can mimic MS symptoms and those need to be ruled out.

This link will offer you a view into what can go into diagnosing MS.....

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sit...BOUT_diagnosis

I do hope you and your husband find answers to his symptoms very soon....he has already been kept waiting long enough.

If he hasn't, he must have an MRI to rule out Chiari Malformation. This is the herniation of the cerebellar tonsils in the back of the brain, and symptoms can often mimic MS. He should also be checked for tethered cord and syrinx.

Check out these sites for all the info you could possibly want:

www.ASAP.org
www.Chiarione.org
www.conquerchiari.org
www.WACMA.com

The sites can also help you find a neurosurgeon experienced in Chiari, should he need one.

Good luck...

LIZARD

Welcome, Vicki! I'm an MSr and I sure hope you'll get some answers soon. It's hard to know what's what in all this. Visit us at the MS forum if you have specific questions that you'd like us to answer. We'll give it our best shot!

Hello and welcome! I have MS. Hope to see you soon over in the MS Forum!