Multiple Sclerosis

[islasmum]

Would a general blood test show up signs of MS starting, or what blood test would you ask for?

[MASS1961]

I was diagnosed with MS in 1994. I'm very lucky I have a very mild strain and don't suffer too much. I was not diagnosed with a simple blood test, more the symptoms I had, prompted my GP to send me for more tests, these included a myelogram & lumbar puncture.
I don't wish to worry you but visit your GP if you have any concerns.

[islasmum]

Thanks Mass, it is for a friend - I think that she will probaby see her GP in the next couple of days. I'm glad to hear that yours is fairly mild - an aunt who I only ever met a couple of times in early childhood developed MS (this was in the 1960's) became ill and died within 5 years, but I imagine that there is a lot more that can be done nowadays.

[MASS1961]

There is a lot of information available now. Leaflets and on line.
What makes you/your friend think this way?

I remember being very scared because I knew nothing about the illness/disease (call it what you will) I remember thinking, I don't feel ill, I feel fine. I was always very positive as I knew how I felt. Now I have these 2 initials
hanging over me but to be honest, I hadn't thought about it for a while until I read your post. As I said before I am very lucky, some are not so.

If you/your friend wants to chat (email) with someone who's been there, done it, i'm sure we could find a way.
Keep thinking positive thoughts, it gets you through so much.
Hope your friend gets some assurances from the GP. It may not be MS!
Mass

[Sqad]

No, there is no diagnostic blood test for MS.

As MASS1961 has said, it is diagnosed on a developing pattern of signs and symptoms.

[Eve]

I was sent to a neurologist years ago after having some weird symptoms, nerve stuff, numbness, muscle weakness, tingling, spasms, lack of reflexes and some foot reflex sign thing, some stroke like symptoms etc... also tying in with later being diagnosed with menieres disease (vertigo and ear symptoms). I had an mri scan on my head and and EMG (I think) and nerve conduction studies (?) and lots of physical examination and history taking - MS had been suspected.

I wonder if the non-menieres symptoms were some kinda of effect of a meningitis like episode I'd have a year or so before - lumbar puncture was negative for meningitis but they said my brain had swollen. Nothing sinister was found and a lot of it calmed down over time thank goodness.

Hope all goes well for your friend.

[islasmum]

To be honest I think that it might be a bad case of Dr Google - anyway she's seeing her GP about something so she can ask him about it then - I'm sorry if I don't sound terribly sympathetic, but she is a bit of a hypochondriac - and she knows it as well! Anyway thank you all for your answers - I will pass them on to her.