Hello all

Hi, unfortunately, MS can't be diagnosed from blood tests.statistically, you won't have MS, but in the event that you do, remember, it ISN'T fatal and,while it is challenging, it's amazing how we can all adapt to meet these challenges. When a patient presents with neurological symptoms, blood tests are done to rule out simpler things. My neurologist, after I'd been diagnosed with MS, casually said '...and your blood tested negative for syphilis...', I squawked 'what?!' He told me that it was just one of the things that was automatically tested for. MS is diagnosed using MRI's, looking at cerebrospinal fluid, from a lumbar puncture and by physical examination, doing simple tests like reflexes and strength of limbs. Typically, before diagnosis, a patient is tested over time, to look for signs of progression. It's frustrating to ensure such a long, drawn out process, I always recommend keeping a journal of symptoms, dates, concerns or questions, it can come in very handy when seeing various medics. Do try to stay as calm as possible, stress can aggravate anyone's health, I realise that is easier said than done, at the best of times, but do try to be positive.

Good luck x.

Hello Rachelmarie24,

From my own personal experience I was diagnosed with MS via MRI.  I have lesions on my brain and spinal cord.

My symptoms started when I kept stubbing my toe into objects.Also walking I would suddenly trip up and my right leg would drag (feels as if a small child is continually holding on to my leg).

Please keep in touch.  Good luck.

Viv x

 

I forgot to mention evoked potential testing, as you said that you had problems with visual disturbances, this is a straight forward test to check for a neurological cause. Wires are placed at various points on the scalp and you're asked to watch a computer moitor while your brainwaves are recorded. It's completely painless, just kind of dull to do.

Are you in the UK?

First, Rachel, I know it's not easy but try not to self diagnose your symptoms. I know that is incredibly hard but it can only lead to unwarranted concern and even distress. Secondly you are correct, a blood test will not diagnose MS, but your doctor needs to go through a sequence of tests while 'discounting' possible causes. Your symptoms could be caused by a wide variety of things, many of which may be indicated by a simple blood test.

My MS was only diagnosed after several years of issues. Happily most of my symptoms were mild. I had loss of sensation, numbness and 'crawling' skin for over twenty years but the incidents only lasted a few weeks, were very isolated and mild in nature. I had many different explanations, including neuralgia and viruses. I was eventually diagnosed with benign MS after several incidents of problems with my left eye over a sixteen year period, with gaps of three to five years between. They were all diagnosed as single unrelated incidents, eye strain, possible mild stroke, etc. All were short lived 3-4 weeks max. Until the last one which was optic neuritis, which apparently is a 'classic' symptom. At the time (ten years ago) I was told without this I would not have been diagnosed with MS. I then had an MRI, vision tests, and a spinal fluid examination. These all together diagnosed evidence of lesions in the brain, inflammation of the spinal fluid and interference with signals down the optic nerve. There is a clear protocol for MS diagnosed. Many symptoms suffered by MS patients are similar or the same as many other conditions. A diagnosis of MS does not help or prevent any symptom as so far MS itself is untreatable. Only the symptoms can be treated and all MS patients have a different experience of symptoms. You could say each one will be unique. I lived with MS for possibly 40 years before diagnosis. Or at least I had symptoms which some MS patients also live with. I lived a perfectly healthy and active life. I thought nothing of them until my eye issues were investigated and a pattern of relapses identified.

I have just turned 65 my balance is just started to be affected and I support my walking with a stick. I always considered myself lazy and not up to much. Often I felt tired and sometimes exhausted but my life of thirty years as a teacher and headteacher (husband & father, political activist, football supporter, party goer, hiker and camper) gave enough reasons why I felt I had no energy. Only now do I recognise what the real cause may have been.