Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that cannot currently be cured. The disease is characterized by a weakening and loss of sensation throughout the body, vision problems, lack of balance and fatigue. There are no specific diagnostic tests for this disease, so a series of tests are done to rule out other possible reasons for the patient's symptoms. These tests to determine if a patient has MS involve blood tests, x-rays, bone marrow samples, and a diagnostic procedure known as an evoked potential test. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made when no other disorders are found through the tests.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part One: Searching for Symptoms
Step 1. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and try to diagnose MS
While there is nothing wrong with trying to do it yourself, it is a difficult and detailed diagnosis, and therefore difficult even for medical professionals.
Step 2. Look for early symptoms of MS
Many people with MS experience the first symptoms at the age of 20 and 40. If you have any of the following symptoms, make a note of them for your doctor, who will use them to rule out other possible conditions.
- Double or blurred vision.
- Clumsiness or coordination problems.
- Problems with thinking.
- Loss of balance.
- Loss of sensation and tingling
- Weakness in the arms and legs
Step 3. MS symptoms manifest themselves in different ways in different patients
Two cases of MS never present the same way. For this reason you may have:
- A symptom followed by an asymptomatic period for months or even years before the symptom recurs or a new symptom presents itself.
- One or more symptoms close together over time, with symptoms worsening over the course of weeks or months.
Step 4. Look for the most common symptoms of MS
These symptoms include:
- Tingling, numbness, itching, burning or stinging throughout the body. These symptoms occur in about half of patients.
- Bowel and bladder problems. These include constipation, frequent urination, sudden urgent urination, trouble emptying the bladder completely, and the need to urinate at night.
- Muscle weakness or spasms, which make walking difficult. Other potential symptoms can make this symptom worse.
- Vertigo or dizziness. Although dizziness is uncommon, dizziness and lightheadedness are common.
- Fatigue. About 80% of patients experience chronic fatigue. Even after a good night's sleep, many patients report feeling tired and drained. MS-related fatigue is usually independent of the amount of physical work or training you sustain.
- Sexual problems, including vaginal dryness in women and difficulty getting an erection in men. Sexual problems can also lead to frigidity, low libido, and difficulty reaching orgasms.
- Communication problems. These include long pauses between words, drawl or very nasal speech.
- Problems with thinking. Difficulty concentrating, difficulty recalling memories, and poor attention span.
- Jolts or tremors, which make everyday actions difficult.
- Eye problems, often affecting only one eye. Examples include blackheads in the center of the eye, blurred or gray vision, pain, or temporary loss of vision.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two: Complete the Diagnosis
Step 1. Take a blood test that brings your doctor closer to diagnosing multiple sclerosis
To do this, you will need to rule out other potential conditions that could be causing your symptoms. Inflammatory diseases, infections, and chemical imbalances can produce similar symptoms, setting off a false alarm. Additionally, many ailments can be easily treated with medications and other treatments.
Step 2. Schedule a bone marrow exam with your doctor
While a bone marrow harvest, or lumbar puncture, can be very painful, it is a vital step in diagnosing MS. This test requires the removal of a small sample of fluid from the spine which will be analyzed by a laboratory. Spinal cord examination is often a test used to diagnose multiple sclerosis, because the fluid can show abnormalities in white blood cells or proteins that can indicate a malfunction of the immune system and the presence of a disease. This test can also rule out other diseases and infections.
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To prepare for a lumbar puncture:
- Tell your doctor if you are taking blood thinning medications or herbal remedies.
- Empty your bladder.
- Sign a release and information form.
Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis Step 7 Step 3. Prepare to take an MRI
This test uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to create an image of the brain and spine. This test can be useful in making a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis because it often shows abnormalities or damage to the areas analyzed, which may indicate the presence of a disease.
An MRI is considered to be one of the best tests to diagnose MS at the moment, although a diagnosis of MS is impossible to confirm with the use of an MRI alone. This is because patients may not show abnormalities on an MRI and still suffer from MS. Conversely, older people can often have MS-like brain injuries without suffering from them
Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis Step 8 Step 4. Ask your doctor to take an evoked potential test
Doctors are learning how to diagnose MS, and this test can provide additional information for an accurate disease determination. The procedure is painless and involves using electrical or visual stimuli to measure the electrical signals your body sends to your brain. These tests can be done by your doctor, but the results will often need to be interpreted by a neurologist.
Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis Step 9 Step 5. Request a follow-up visit with your doctor when all tests have been done to determine if a definitive multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be confirmed
If your doctor can confirm the diagnosis, you will proceed to the disease treatment phase. This requires learning to manage symptoms effectively and slow the progression of the disease.
