David H. Mattson, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Albert C. Lo, MD, PhD, CPH, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Engineering and Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI;Elizabeth Auld, PA, Departments of Primary Care and Neurology, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
Introduction
If you have multiple sclerosis (MS)––or you know someone who does––you probably remember how long it took to make the diagnosis. You also may remember a lot of blood tests, a lumbar puncture, at least one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, as well as many visits and examinations by various doctors. You may wonder why it still takes so long to make the diagnosis in this modern age of MRIs and other sophisticated tests. We are going to try to explain why it can be so difficult for even the most expert MS neurologist to determine that someone has MS. You have to live with the diagnosis and face the disease and the treatments. You should understand and have confidence in the diagnosis. Also, if your case of MS does not fit the typical pattern, you need to be aware of the other disorders that can mimic MS. This is important because the treatments may be very different and, just as in most cases of MS, treatment begun early in the course of the disease is the best way to prevent or slow further neurologic damage.
Continue to read directly from The United Spinal Organizations’ MS SCENE
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