How long before MS shows up in LP?

[artfan]

Hello everyone...

I've been having what seems (because not yet diagnosed) like MS symptoms for, I'd say, about 15 years (maybe more). Last year's brain MRI showed a lesion and some hyperintensities. MS was suspected in 2001 by an Internist but the matter was never followed up (I was not even aware of his suspicions at the time!). My recent LP was negative. I have the classic symptoms except gait.

My questions are as follows:

1) Can anyone tell me how many years you can show symptoms before the condition becomes evident in the LP?

2) Is it possible the MS may never show in the LP?

3) Is it possible to be (unofficially) positive for MS with negative LP but not quite meet the McDonald Criteria while still having one or many lesions?

) How do I convince my GP to send me to MS specialists to formerly/officially to rule out or diagnose MS?

As much as I would like to, I am not ready to go back to teaching. I have too many cognitive difficulties and loss of balance to do so, not to mention being very scared.

Artfan

[SNOOPY]

) Can anyone tell me how many years you can show symptoms before the condition becomes evident in the LP?

I don't believe there is a conclusive answer for this question.

Is it possible the MS may never show in the LP?

Approximately 85% of those who had a LP and were diagnosed with MS are positive.

There are those who received a definite MS diagnosis and either had a negative LP or did not have a LP.

There is no single test, by it's self, which will give a diagnosis of MS. Testing, which is positive, can help support a diagnosis of MS. This can mean a patient will be followed for any changes. All other causes need to be rule out before MS can be ruled in.

I have the classic symptoms except gait.

Unfortunately, symptoms alone cannot give you a diagnosis of MS.

There is no symptom(s) which are unique to MS. Other conditions/disease/vitamin deficiencies/medications and mental health issues can all cause similar or the same symptoms as those seen in MS.