It’s never a good idea to jump to conclusions when trying to find a cause for any symptoms you might have. With multiple sclerosis (MS), self-diagnosing is not the way to go. This disease may cause permanent damage even in its earliest stages so it’s crucial to get it properly diagnosed as soon as possible.
According to the National MS Society, these are the tools used to diagnose MS:
1. Medical history and neurological exam
A doctor is critical for this method. He or she will keep track of the patient’s medical and family history and keep an eye out for past or future signs or symptoms that might be connected to MS. A doctor will also perform a series of psychological and physical examinations to test the patient’s senses and cognitive abilities.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the least invasive method available to map a patient’s central nervous system (CNS) and detect any problems. As MS is centered on the CNS, this scan can both help diagnose the patient as well as keep track of changes throughout their life. It’s important to note that when patients (up to 5 percent of cases) are first diagnosed through other methods, they might not show signs of damage on an MRI. However, if later on in the development of the disease they still do not show any signs on an MRI, they might need to question their MS diagnosis.
MORE: Read more about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MS diagnosis
3. Optical coherence tomography
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a rather new and non-invasive method. It consists of an imaging tool that maps the structure of the retinas. The optic nerves are usually affected by MS but before this tool was invented, they couldn’t really be analyzed. Now with OCT, studies have shown that the retinal nerves of people with MS and without it are different.
4. Evoked potentials test
Evoked potentials (EP) works by stimulating nerve pathways and measuring what it does to your brain activity. Although there’s a stimulation of those pathways, this is done through light, sensation or sound, so it’s harmless and mostly painless. Like MRIs, this test can help detect demyelination, which is crucial to officially diagnosing MS.
5. Cerebrospinal fluid test
There is a liquid in the human body that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This liquid is filled with nutrients and chemicals that differ between people who have and don’t have MS. Spinal taps are required to test the liquid, and obviously must be done by a doctor. By examining this fluid, doctors can detect various nervous system diseases, including MS.
yay, for the first time I passed 5 tests! But, seriously my M.S. i call a ninja, sneaky little thing hiding away and messing my ‘stuff’ up! My husband came up with really funny example (I ‘lose’ words/trip over). My little messenger, (like a battlefield messenger) its falling over, tripping, get stuck in a queue but eventually it reaches its destination, my word arrives and I blurt it out! I get mixed up, pigeons/penguins??? But I own it…its all mine..(although Mother was dxd with M.S when I was 12 and as I later found out my father had Transverse Myelitis he was dxd when I was 15/16) I was fully diagnosed with M.S when i was 25. It was really bad, optic neuritis, bladder problems with spasticy was in wheelchair, wall walking in house. I did not like going out in the wheelchair. (husband always talking behind my back…lol) I told neurologist NO more steroids…apparently I was just having ‘dos’ over and over…i got put on this amazing drug, several infusions in i had the strength to ‘ditch’ the wheelchair (he lives in the back bedroom with the ‘junk’). I have been on it 8 years now, now its every 56 days. I walk to the treatment room (usually carrying a really hot coffee or two. the once annoying tremor gone!). I used to always say I felt like fraud, not feeling the pain others had etc. but then the awful nettle rash pains, the annoying itches that when you itch them the relief doesn’t come pain does! A feeling that your skin is going to tear (nice one to wake you up!), like a scalpel has sliced you, feels like bleeding. Hubby says its always its all the fun of the fair. This M.S of mine, the ninja thats being held there on the platau no worse (Regular M.R.I tests show no new activity!) but a heck of a lot better than I was. Tysabri is my drug of choice