Could I have had MS for years and not know it?

“MS is diagnosed most commonly in the ages between 20 and 50. It can occur in children and teens, and those older than 50,” said Smith. “But it can go unrecognized for years.”

How long can you have MS without knowing?

Benign MS can't be identified at the time of initial diagnosis; it can take as long as 15 years to diagnose. The course of MS is unpredictable, and having benign MS doesn't mean that it can't progress into a more severe form of MS.

Can you have MS for years before diagnosis?

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) start experiencing symptoms of the disease several years before being diagnosed, a new study suggests.

Can MS be dormant for years?

Relapsing-remitting MS

Relapses can last for varying periods – from a few days up to months – and then the disease may then be inactive for months or years. About 85 per cent of people with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS.

Can you be diagnosed with MS later in life?

Although most people with MS are aged 20–40 years when symptoms appear, the condition can sometimes develop in later life. When MS appears in older adults, doctors may refer to it as late onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS). MS is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system.

My MS diagnosis story

What does MS feel like in the beginning?

Numbness or Tingling

A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.

What were your first signs of MS?

Can you have MS and not have any symptoms?

Finding of white matter spots (lesions) in the brain that are classic for multiple sclerosis without having symptoms can occur. Not a surprising fact since many of people with MS have many old MRI spots when diagnosed.

What other symptoms have MS but no lesions?

About 5 percent of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.

Can you miss MS on MRI?

MRI is considered the best test to help diagnose MS. However, 5% of people with MS do not have abnormalities detected on MRI; thus, a "negative" scan does not completely rule out MS. In addition, some common changes of aging may look like MS on a MRI. To track the progress of disease.

What happens with undiagnosed MS?

Treatments for MS can also help reduce the likelihood of a relapse, but they don't help make relapses less severe. If you stop taking your MS medication, you're more likely to relapse. And if left untreated, MS can result in more nerve damage and an increase in symptoms.

Can MRI show old MS lesions?

T2-weighted MRI scan

This shows the number of old and new lesions in a specific part of the brain or spinal cord. It helps doctors determine the long-term impact of MS. MS lesions appear as bright spots in a T2-weighted MRI scan.

Can a neurologist Miss MS?

While MRI is not the only piece in the puzzle for MS diagnosis, it plays a significant role. A false negative diagnosis made off an MRI scan could lead the neurologist and patient down an incorrect path and delay an accurate diagnosis, or potentially miss it entirely.

What does MS muscle pain feel like?

It may be localized (in one small area) or encircle the whole body. Some people describe the MS hug as a sharp pain,4 whereas others describe it as dull or more neuropathic in quality, like burning, tickling, or tingling. Still, others may note a crushing or constricting sensation.

Can I test myself for MS?

Performing a multiple sclerosis (MS) self-assessment cannot diagnose the condition, but it may help a person understand their symptoms and know when to contact a doctor. An MS self-assessment can include paying attention to energy levels, physical sensations, vision problems, and more.

Can MS symptoms be subtle?

The initial symptoms of MS may be quite subtle. They include weakness or unusual sensations in one or more extremities; blurring or loss of vision, most often in one eye and associated with pain around the eye; double vision; and dizziness.

What can be mistaken for MS?

How do you rule out MS?

Does MS show up in blood work?

While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including lupus erythematosis, Sjogren's, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, some infections, and rare hereditary diseases.

Can you still have MS if all tests negative?

These errors in diagnosis likely result from the fact that there is no single test that can determine an MS diagnosis conclusively. Also, not everyone has all of the common symptoms of MS, such as numbness, tingling, pain, fatigue, and heat sensitivity.

What is the mildest form of MS?

There's no cure for multiple sclerosis, but benign MS is the mildest form of the condition.

Can MS remain mild?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.

At what age is multiple sclerosis usually diagnosed?

MS can occur at any age, but onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age. However, younger and older people can be affected.

What does MS leg numbness feel like?

A very common symptom of MS is numbness, often in the limbs or across the body in a band-like fashion. Numbness is divided into four categories: Paresthesia – feelings of pins and needles, tingling, buzzing, or crawling sensation.

How does MS affect your legs?

Over time, your muscles can get weaker and weaker. Some people with MS find that their muscles tire more easily than usual. For example, someone with MS might find that their legs might start to feel unstable or they may have trouble moving them after periods of exercise, like walking.