Remembering the diagnosis chase...
 

It's been over six years since my diagnosis, but I don't think I'll ever get over that nearly two-year limbo period. I thought I'd lose my mind. I have great empathy for those who live in limbo even longer, or perhaps still don't have a diagnosis.

One thing I "learned" was NOT to use the term "Probable MS", even though it's a correct term. I learned to say that "the neurologist believes it is MS" or something like that. People heard "probable MS" as a self-diagnosis, or perhaps not "real" MS. Go figure.

I was lucky. One Summer, one Neuro, one hospital stay and 36 yrs ago, I was DXed.

Went thru a bit of iffy stuff with my PCP, but even he suspected MS and the Neuro confirmed it.:eek:

10 yrs for me and not yet dx.. although ER doc says MS/ PCP no MS/yes MS depending on who he's talking to... in a wheelchair... still can't walk been like this since Jan

Cindy

Cindy, that is so weird considering how quickly they put patients on a DMD with an isolated clinical whateveryoucallit...

Hope you get some certainty soon...it can be crazy feeling like carp and not getting an answer...:hug:

in the vortex now...it's gonna be a happier day, when that "tricorder" becomes available...of course, then some hospitals/docs will go out of business. LOL, just thought I'd put a lighter spin on it...

for those of us still in the drink...:)

Cindy, I actually had MS symptoms 12 years prior to my seeking a DX.

I reckon I had symptoms for years, although I waited until they disappeared an then resumed my life - happily in denial (not that I even imagined MS as being in my life plan).

It only took me one neuro visit, one MRI and some blood tests (to exlude any other reason for the 'numerous brain and brainstem lesions') BAM there it was, ready or not.

I have to say though, in spite of everything - after nearly 11 years - and all the symptoms I live happily in denial, waiting for my neuro to tell me that he was just messing around with my head.

Dream on........

It didn't take me long to get a diagnosis either. After 2 visits to my pcp, she referred me to a neuro. After an mri, spinal tap & bloodwork, I had a diagnosis. I'm still waiting to wake up from this nightmare.:mad:

I was dx by my pcp within two weeks of having major symptoms. Of course, my neurologist "officially" gave me the MS dx about one month later. My neuro also thought I probably had my first symptoms about ten years before experiencing my first major flare.

Sally.... you've been peeking at my records, haven't you? :rolleyes:

After a few months of odd symptoms my physician diagnosed me but to be absolutely sure he got me an appointment with a neurologist that very day, and I had my diagnosis. They used the McDonald Criteria back then so I had to wait 20 years until it was properly confirmed with a MRI.

That was 35 years ago, so you beat me by 12 months. :D