Must MS cause sudden debilitating paralysis?

[arcarc]

Hi. I am new here and have not been diagnosed with MS. I have been getting worse and worse over the last 9 months and I wasn't what you would call a healthy person to begin with. A lot of days I barely function now. Anyway, I have been to multiple doctors, and just recently went back to a neurologist with my MS suspicions. He listened but then he told me that MS doesn't cause gradual symptoms like mine. He said MS you would have to have become suddenly paralyzed on one side and stay that way. But that confuses me because that sounds like a stroke and also because if that happened to everyone with MS why does it take years for people to get diagnosed? So my question is, is he correct or is he wrong and can the symptoms be gradual? He did thankfully schedule an MRI of the brain anyway, but it is still over 2 weeks away and nearly 4 weeks before I get the results. Thank you for your help!

[KoKo]

Hi. I am new here and have not been diagnosed with MS. I have been getting worse and worse over the last 9 months and I wasn't what you would call a healthy person to begin with. A lot of days I barely function now. Anyway, I have been to multiple doctors, and just recently went back to a neurologist with my MS suspicions. He listened but then he told me that MS doesn't cause gradual symptoms like mine. He said MS you would have to have become suddenly paralyzed on one side and stay that way. But that confuses me because that sounds like a stroke and also because if that happened to everyone with MS why does it take years for people to get diagnosed? So my question is, is he correct or is he wrong and can the symptoms be gradual? He did thankfully schedule an MRI of the brain anyway, but it is still over 2 weeks away and nearly 4 weeks before I get the results. Thank you for your help!

Hi arcarc

Welcome to MS World.

My MS symptoms have been gradually progressing from the start. I am dx'd PPMS (Primary Progressive).

Diagnosing MS involves ruling out other conditions, as well as MRI imaging and other tests.

This can often be a long process.

Wishing you good luck!

Any other questions, feel free to ask and we'll help if we can.

Take Care

[Seasha]

Hi arcarc and welcome to MSWorld!

MS can present itself in many different ways. It can start as simply as numbness and tingling, vision loss, etc, and yes, it can come on gradually! The symptoms vary anywhere to mild to debilitating, but to have your Dr tell you that paralysis is the only way to be diagnosed with MS is NOT true! Is this neuro an MS specialist? You might want to seek out one if you suspect that you have MS.

A MRI is a good start towards a diagnosis, however, sometimes it is difficult to get a definitive diagnosis with an MRI alone. There are other tests that could help. Read the pdf file here on the diagnostic workup - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Nat...ingOptions.pdf

Sometimes it does take years for a proper diagnose. I was in "limbo" for 10 years. MS can be difficult to diagnose and other conditions must be ruled out first as there are many "mimics". Even a vitamin deficiency can cause symptoms. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...ns-to-Rule-Out

Keep us informed with the results of your MRI and take care!

[arcarc]

Hi and thanks for the welcomes! No the neurologist is not an MS specialist and honestly not the one I wanted to see. I had been to him before and requested a different doctor, but would have to have waited 2 months for an appointment to do that or next day with this guy. I was getting desperate so I went.

I have been to a rheumatologist and he barely listened. He did blood work and told me not to come back he would send the results in the mail. There were some abnormal things on the blood work, but apparently he felt I was good cause the letter with it still said don't come back. My primary ran blood tests too and said all was fine.

The neuro is running a Lyme test since that had not been done. My gastro has ran test also and my urologist. Sad thing is until the last year I didn't have all these doctors. Just a neuro for my seizures. Thanks again for your help and answers!

[Jules A]

There were some abnormal things on the blood work, but apparently he felt I was good cause the letter with it still said don't come back. My primary ran blood tests too and said all was fine.

Hi and welcome!
Yeah with labs there are many that can show abnormalities and unless grossly out of range mean virtually nothing but there are a few with a very small range of variation that would be considered urgent.

Not that it never happens but imo its rare that a major finding would be missed because they usually pass through a few sets of eyes before even reaching the physician.

[Mamabug]

Hi. ... He listened but then he told me that MS doesn't cause gradual symptoms like mine. He said MS you would have to have become suddenly paralyzed on one side and stay that way. But that confuses me because that sounds like a stroke and also because if that happened to everyone with MS why does it take years for people to get diagnosed? So my question is, is he correct or is he wrong and can the symptoms be gradual? He did thankfully schedule an MRI of the brain anyway, but it is still over 2 weeks away and nearly 4 weeks before I get the results. Thank you for your help!

That doesn't sound correct at all. MS can present itself in many different ways. Although it can come on suddenly and severely, it can also be gradual, with minor symptoms popping up occasionally over many years.
Here is a site with lots and lots of reading available. I wish I had a specific place to suggest that you begin. But, perhaps you can browse a little bit and choose what interests you the most.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/