% of people with symptoms that end up with MS diagnosis?
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:15 pm
I realize this isn't a statistic that anyone really knows, but I was wondering if anyone has has an estimation given to them by their neurologist before they ever had any testing.
For example, if you went to the neuro with classic symptoms, have they said something along the lines of "well, you have symptoms of MS, but only a handful of people with these symptoms will actually have the disease" etc?
My neurologist (who was awesome by the way) is sending me for an MRI next week, and he was very willing to answer any questions I had...but I forgot to ask this question.
In my case I meet all the "risk factors"...I am of Polish/German descent, female, 34 years old, and I live right on Lake Michigan. I also have family history but not immediate family (Aunt, Cousin, and several other more that are like second cousins, etc). I also get migraines.
My GP sent me to the Neuro because my right foot has been numb and I had foot drop (for a couple of weeks...it seems to be almost gone now) There were also two days that every time I tried to walk my leg muscles would tense up to the point that I could hardy control my legs (spasm I guess?). I have also been having vision issues for a couple of weeks now, like a migraine aura without the migraine (he did check my eyes and he said they looked good).
Basically he said when they see these things in a young person like me it points to demyelinating disease and he didn't mention any other possible causes. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe he didn't want to give me too much to think about, lol. He ordered an MRI of the C & T Spine (with and w/o contrast). That also made me a little confused since I thought MS was in the brain...but he seemed like a smart guy so I'm sure there was a reason for no MRI of the brain.
Anyway...sorry to ramble on.
Anyone's guesstimate or shared experiences would be appreciated!
For example, if you went to the neuro with classic symptoms, have they said something along the lines of "well, you have symptoms of MS, but only a handful of people with these symptoms will actually have the disease" etc?
My neurologist (who was awesome by the way) is sending me for an MRI next week, and he was very willing to answer any questions I had...but I forgot to ask this question.
In my case I meet all the "risk factors"...I am of Polish/German descent, female, 34 years old, and I live right on Lake Michigan. I also have family history but not immediate family (Aunt, Cousin, and several other more that are like second cousins, etc). I also get migraines.
My GP sent me to the Neuro because my right foot has been numb and I had foot drop (for a couple of weeks...it seems to be almost gone now) There were also two days that every time I tried to walk my leg muscles would tense up to the point that I could hardy control my legs (spasm I guess?). I have also been having vision issues for a couple of weeks now, like a migraine aura without the migraine (he did check my eyes and he said they looked good).
Basically he said when they see these things in a young person like me it points to demyelinating disease and he didn't mention any other possible causes. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe he didn't want to give me too much to think about, lol. He ordered an MRI of the C & T Spine (with and w/o contrast). That also made me a little confused since I thought MS was in the brain...but he seemed like a smart guy so I'm sure there was a reason for no MRI of the brain.
Anyway...sorry to ramble on.
Anyone's guesstimate or shared experiences would be appreciated!