First time around it was numbness, but the doctor attributed it to a disc protrusion in my neck. Years later, looking back, it helped assist in the diagnosis of MS. When I went a few years later, a different doctor assesed my symptoms of numbness in my feet, moving up the legs and no feeling in the stomach area. He did an MRI which showed lesions, but to rule out stroke or anything else he did the Spinal Tap. That pretty much confirmed his suspicions of MS. Also, looking back at my history it was evident that I had had symptoms before that had gone without cause or treatment, that now appears to have been an MS exacerbation. Took a long time, but I'm at least glad to have a reason for my symptoms.

The first symptom that took me to the ER was due to numbness on the entire right side of my body and severe dizziness. The tests they determined MS with for me was an MRI, and then the following day, a Lumbar Puncture.

The ER doctors did many, many tests, but those were what determined it. The brain showed lots of lesions. The LP also showed lots of ms activity in the spine.

Optic neuritis. They did an evoked response test and an MRI but I only had 2 lesions. So after a few relapses and as more lesions appeared I was then diagnosed.

She was honest up front with her theory that it was MS but explained the criteria and how important it was to keep a close eye on it so I could start treatment as soon as I could be diagnosed.

I also had a spinal tap but it was negative. Which happens in about 10-15% of MSers.

numbness and burning, itching of my feet. Then back pain and finally the dreaded foot drop and then someone took me seriously - MRI confirmed and on Copaxone I went.

Numb "cold" feelings in my legs was my first symptom but didn't get dx until 5 years later with optic neuritis. Spinal Tap, Bloodwork and MRI (with and without contrast) was the testing done.

Optic neuritis..my mom took me to the ER mri was negative..then was numbness weak legs slurring of words n falling..poof another mri and I believe only 1 lesion but positive spinal tap so here I am 7 yrs later with a host of all new symptoms but they have stayed to torture me daily

Optic neuritis in 2005.....the eye doctor was the one who called it.....but my regular doctor sent me to the neuro and she did a MRI and I looked like a Dalmatian! She also seen that it was in the white and the grey matter.

spasticity and double vision, saw ophthalmologist & PCP same day, dxd with RLS and prisms put in glasses
2 years later, urge incontinence
1 year later, dropped foot syndrome
1 year later, right hand weakness - holding a pen, dropping things
3 months later, blurry vision, ophthalmologist gave me drops
notice that no one has put everything together - all symptoms are treated as though they were occuring in a vacuum

Had EMG/NCS, and ultrasound of legs, to find out why I had foot drop. Idiot neurologist ruled out MS because I had no eye pain.

MRI Lumbar for dropped foot - radiologist and idiot neuro both said it was normal. Later, new neurologist looked at the exact same MRI and said, "oh yeah, I see white flashes on here."

New neuro ordered MRI upper and lower back,and brain, w/ and w/o contrast, found lesions
Spinal tap two months later, Positive for MS

I just wish that someone - anyone - had put all the symptoms together earlier instead of treating each one separately so I could have started treatment sooner. I didn't know that they were all connected, although my first two visits ON THE SAME DAY with PCP and opthalmologist, I suspected something neurological.

Took six years for proper dx. Had I but known...

I was having problems walking for years. Drs did not believe me. Than when I could not go to work , decided to tell my new dr that I wanted to know why I could not walk and that I needed an answer. He sent me to a rheumatologist, than neurologist, he did an exam and told me I had neurological problems, an mri and vep later and he diagnosed me with ms. I pretty much knew all along.

My husband had numbness a lot and everywhere, lots of pain, dizziness, eye problems, tingling and spasms....lots of stuff really. Took 6 years to get diagnosed. He had mri's, evoked response test, spinal tap. Just went in today for another mri for him...anxious to get the results. Apparently his neurologist is thinking his ms is taking on a more progressive course. He's getting shocked everywhere with the slightest movement and his flare ups are lasting months at a time.

Thank you all for your replies :) I went to my primary care Doctor today. She is sending me to a neurologist as soon as the referral goes through. She said it is easier for the neurologist to get an approval for an MRI. She gave me 2 prescriptions, one for Topomax (for the migraines) and a muscle relaxant.

I appreciate you all sharing all that you did with me. Some things I have problems with and others I don't. The doctor said she doesn't believe it is MS, but it was possible. From what you all have shared it sounds like it can take awhile to get an official diagnosis.

((gentle hugs)) and many thanks!
Teresa

For years, simply unexplained fatige along with "brain for" which took me out of the work force. Did not understand why, just could not be up long enough or focus well enough to do the work. Found myself sitting and wondering what was happening. Got stuck wioth the CFS label.

Too bad, because if I had something dramatic or specific which directed my doctor to MS, I would have had my companies LTD
benefit forever. Did not get that lucky.

When working my right leg work not want to move sometimes. Went to ER and had CAT scan done. Neurologist based on that and 5 minutes discussion dx me with conversion disorder. This is in 1993 and last day worked. I became totally disabled in 1993 and on SSD in 1994 for pain in neck, hip, shoulder, headaches, fatigue, memory problems, multiple allergies, dizziness, balance problems, orthostatic hypotension...etc. Already had LTD.

First symptoms beyond ME/Fibro diagnoses,were losing bowel control and double vision in 1998. No, I didn't report them to my neurologist. I assume they were ME/CFS. I did tell my GI about losing bowel control and he told me to cut back on Reglan. I quit taking it as side effects were awful. Weakness in legs was mistaken by me as fatigue. Noticed that I could not situp on my own but the doctors never picked up on it.

I had seven hospitalizations for dehydration mainly before my MS dx. I had several MRIs done. Why was it not picked up?

What got my neurologist attention was that I didn't recognize my son. I either had a seizure or stroke, so he thought. Then he brought up possibility of MS. I also had eye changes in vision. This is in July. I was dx 12/2006. Went through blood tests to rule out other diseases. My evoked potentials positive for eyes and legs. Spinal tap was negative. MRI not sure really. Clinical exam show hyporeflexia or absence reflexes. I need another episode within 6 months showing weakness in legs. I remember in the summer I need help stepping up. I was dx without being told. He just circle bottom of form MS and told to get with nurse about Avonex and Solumedrol.

Which symptom was first lost of balance after chiropractor knocked jaw, neck and cause occipital neuralgia... you tell me.