What to do when you’re diagnosed.
If you recently received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, know you’re not alone. We Are ILL’s mission is to provide you with a community, advocate for your care, and help you understand the disease. Send a note, read stories from other Black women living with MS, and let WAI empower you to take control of your health and your life.
Getting AN MS DIAGNOSIS:
No one lab test or symptom alone will determine whether you have multiple sclerosis. Instead, your doctor will look for damage in at least two areas of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve, and they’ll make sure this damage happened at different points of your life. Your doctor will also rule out any other conditions that might cause this damage or your symptoms.
To reach a diagnosis, your doctor will:
Ask questions about your health history, in an effort to identify past or present symptoms that MS may have caused.
Collect data on your place of birth, family health history, your illness history, environmental exposures, and places you’ve traveled that might provide further clues into your health.
Perform a neurological exam, which includes testing the cranial nerves (those responsible for vision, hearing, facial sensation, strength, and swallowing). The test will also examine your reflexes, coordination, walking, and balance.
Based on your health history and neurological exam, your doctor should be able to diagnose MS. However, your healthcare provider may perform other tests, including an MRI and blood draws, to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other conditions.