The Process of Being Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multi-step process that can take anywhere from days to years. Unfortunately, MS is not a condition where you walk into your primary care doctor’s office because of unusual symptoms, and you walk out of the office with a definitive diagnosis. Reporting your symptoms to your doctor is only the first step.

Step one: Early symptoms and preliminary tests

The neurological exam is the first step in trying to solve th

e mystery as to whether MS might be the cause of your symptoms. The doctor will look for signs to indicate that something may not be functioning as expected within the central nervous system (CNS) that includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

To help eliminate potential causes of symptoms, your doctor may order some preliminary blood tests to rule out conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency, lupus, autoimmune disease, Lyme disease, syphilis, or HIV. If the results come back normal, your doctor may then order an MRI of the brain and/or spinal cord.


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How Long Does It Take To Be Diagnosed With MS?