I did 8 years with MS symptoms that were misdiagnosed with 'migraine with aura'. The earlier, the better on getting at dx so you can start one of the CRAB's. I know that I wished I'd have gotten a Dr that ordered a damn MRI 8 years ago and started me on something...I'm still 'barely clinical' as my neuro would say, but still...it would have been nice to have it controlled a long time ago. XOXOXO

I'm already "migraine with aura" and already got my MRI...I don't know what a CRAB is, in your context. I think you mean medicine. I have had neck numbness/needles/stiffness for one yr. now.

going on 7 years without difinitive diagnosis...Have gotten b-12 deficiency and demyelinating disorder diagnosis, but Neuro says she wants to wait until this November to get new MRI to compare all the others and then come to "conclusion". I'm suffering pretty bad right now and have other disorders going on. I have to call doctor tomorrow and don't even know which one to start with! hehehehehee.
My suggestion is to keep calling Neuro to tell of new changes as they happen...maybe bugging the neuro is the clue to getting more answers quickly. just a thought though.
BTW...what are CRAB's? i know it's a treatment, but not sure what. Thanks!

C= copaxone
R= rebif
A= avonex
B= bataseron

I started with Symptoms as far back as 1996. I didn't start to really be freaked out until 2001. I was told I had repressed trama and that its all in my head. I was officially dx in 2004. I am just starting Avonex. I have had 4 relapses that the doctor has actually caught. He seems to go on vacation a lot...
Keep at them. Your not crazy.

I had optic neuritis in 1966, followed by various symtoms of numbness and incontinence but not offcicially diagnosed until 1985 after an evoked potentials response test. The MRI test gives a faster diagnosis now. Good luck!

Unfortunately I'm of no help to you. I started having symptoms about three weeks and then it was off to surgery for me. My final diagnosis was in three months. Good luck and stay stress free.

Aparently I am a lucky one. I had a bout of optic neuritis in early Feb. of 05 and had a dx by March 16 of the same year. Started on Avonex right away and switched to Rebiff a few months ago.
Good luck and hang in there!

I thought I had a pretty quick diagnosis (8 months) considering I dragged my feet on having the spinal tap, but now thinking back, I realize I may have had MS for years, and didn't even know.
Originally in '98 I thought I had (and was treated for)shingles, but the pain, tingling, and numbness continues. Also had a few things happen that I just attributed to the stress of losing both my parents within a year of each other. I wonder...do we really KNOW how long we have had MS really?

I believe my diagnosis was pretty quick aswell. My first episode was in October of 2004, I had 2 MRI's and then diagnosed in May 05 (7 months). I had an MRI in Dec then one in April; I was told that they wanted to see if any changes occured because the first one showed some lesions and inflamation at my neck and spinal cord. The second MRI was in April and it showed new lesions. Good luck! Hang in there.