As ridiculous as this may sound, if you don't have health insurance coverage for the testing that needs to be done, head into the ER. Explain your symptoms to them, and I know from my own experience, they did an MRI to rule out a stroke at the time, or even a brain tumor. No need to go into the possibility of MS with them......... just tell them your current symptoms and leave it at that. It is sad to me that this is sometimes the only option people have in order to get answers, but you need to do what you need to do. Good luck and keep us posted.... and by the way, most drug manufacturers have programs to help people obtain the medication they need even if they are unable to afford it financially.

I don't want to scare you more than you already are, but you do need to be prepared for a possibility of ms and what that can mean. It would be best to have health insurance before you get a diagnoses because your premiums will be higher and you may have a hard time getting insured. I was diagnosed when I was on a cobra insurance and when I did get insurance through my husband's business they ended up charging a lot more for me and after a while they found a way of dropping me completely. I had numbness from the waist down when I got diagnosed in 06'. I had numbness in my hands about a year earlier and 5 yrs before that I had blurred vision and my eyes hurt really bad. As for the testing, I had a Lumbar MRI done because of the numbness being from the waist down. I thought maybe it was a pinched nerve. After it came back with a possible ms lesion on my lower spine they did a mri of my brain and cervical spine with contrast. My doctor also did a lot of bloodwork to rule out any other illnesses. He also asked me to have a lumbar puncture done, which now is not absolutely necessary to have done. I also went to a ms specialist for a second opinion and she recommended that I have an EEG and visual evoked response test done. They found slowing in my optic nerve from that. There is a lot of test and a lot to go through emotionally. If you decide to do this, please have someone that you can count on to be a support for you to go to your appointments and testing with. I hope it turns out not to be ms, but if it is, it's not the worst thing that can happen to you. Everyone has some problems. Try to keep a positive attitude and do all you can to take the best care of yourself. Mostly, surround yourself with people who care the most about you during this time. I wish you the best with this and hope your symptoms are from something that's not too bad. Hugs, Holly

hello, i also do not have insurance and did not have when i was diagnosed, i had to go to clinics for my dr visits which cost me 45.00 each time, i then went to a rheumatologist which was recommended, he sent me to a neurologist which these drs were at a hospital that gives a 40% discount for cash, i still cannot afford! i found a place to get mris cheap and paid way less, 1100.00 for brain and cervical spine with and without contrast, 50% down and the rest i could make pymts on.
i knew that i needed the diagnosis so i just got it done. i was put on rebif and get it free for now, i will have to apply for other assistance because the rebif will soon run out :(

I had the same things going on with me and I had no insurance either. I'd gone numb from the waist down and could barely walk. I knew if I went to a doctor they'd want to run a bunch of tests on me so I did not go being I had a crummy job w/no insurance at that time.
I went to an acupuncturist and had several treatments and that seemed to help. The acupuncturist assured me that I did not have MS and slowly I got better but never fully recovered.
Another 4 years went by and I had a job and insurance and my eyesight began going out on me and I was falling a lot. Finally, I was diagnosed and luckily I had insurance.
It is best to get any/all insurance before a diagnosis as it will be impossible to get if you wait until you have a diagnosis.
You may get better soon and the symptoms you are experiencing may go away for a very long time is my hope for you.
Try not to panic as stress is the #1 enemy of MS.
Hang in there!!