Is there a normal 'progression' towards diagnosis?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I have two in real life friends that have MS. Both were diagnosed quickly due to a dramatic first attack and significant MRI results to back it up.

I'm just curious about if there is a normal progression towards diagnosis?

For example, my MRI showed multiple lesions, but they were very subtle and I'm shocked the radiologist even found them. Obviously, after the MRI my neuro stated he's 90% sure I don't have MS. A week later at a follow up he happened to catch a downward nystagmus in my left eye, and again stated he was pretty sure I do not have MS. Two weeks later I was seen for foot pain, and at that time he officially wrote in my record "Suspected MS." A week after that (just last monday) I was seen for vertigo and he saw the nystagmus in both eyes and veering during the walking exam. He stated that an MS attack would progress in a matter of day. By that afternoon it had gotten worse. He called the vertigo a Suspected MS attack and started me on 3 days IV steroids followed by the prednisone taper.

I guess I'm kind of trying to figure out where it goes from here. If I have had a suspected attack, would the next attack bring about Probable MS on my records? Then a third attack maybe would bring a diagnosis?

Also, if the steroids helped with the vertigo, I do feel I was improving at least a tiny bit every day (even if I was miserable for almost a week LOL), does that mean that the vertigo was most likely an MS attack? Is there any way to tell if it was MS or not?

Thanks! This is all so confusing!
~Jess

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thanks for the replies Alex & Kristi :-)

I know my doctor believes that the earlier the DMD's are started the better, so I guess I will just have to hope for the best that I don't have to go through too many more possible attacks.

And, man, it sure would be nice if when the vertigo started a flashing sign appeared saying "Warning! MS Attack in progress!!" LOL The whole aspect of not knowing if it is or is not MS is what I'm finding hardest. I'm sure everyone here can relate to that :-(

I guess I'll figure out what the next step is on the 18th at my follow up appointment. Patience is a virtue....Patience is a virtue...

~Jess

[starryeyes1]

I was dx last June and had severe balance problems and other symptoms for a yr and a half before dx. I had 4 lesions, 2 of which barely showed up..I had vertigo about a month ago and altho my neuro is located out of state, he talked to my reg Dr who ordered IV steroids, which took care of the vertigo.

I know it was a relapse. Before my current neuro, I was seeing a different neuro who refused to dx me altho all the evidence was there. He kept pushing out my appts farther and farther until I basically fired him and went out of state. My MS Dr I have now looked at the same information and had me dx in 10 min.

The longer you go undiagnosed the more chances of MS attacks and the disease progressing rapidly. I am on Copaxone and hopefully it slows this disease down.

Good Luck!!
Kristi

[HVAC]

Everyone is different some diagnoses come quickly some slowly. If you look at the top right the health pages a click on it. You will see the MCDonald Criteria for diagnosing MS.

In 2007 my PCP was doing my yearly exam which a failed all the neurological. That started a two year journey of Neurologists and test until my diagnosis. They say I have had MS since childhood and did not know it. I had all kinds of neurological problems.

I will let those more informed on vertigo handle that question.

Good Luck,
Alex