Medical History Assessment: You’ll provide your neurologist with a detailed medical history, including information about your symptoms, their duration, any family history of neurological disorders, and your overall health. Be prepared to discuss past medical conditions and medications.

Symptoms Evaluation: Your doctor will ask you about the specific symptoms you’re experiencing. You should be ready to describe the onset, progression, frequency, and any factors that worsen or alleviate your symptoms.

Neurological Examination: Your doctor will conduct a physical and neurological examination, assessing your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, and sensory functions. Your eye movements will also be examined, as vision problems are common in MS.

Diagnostic Tests including onsite MRI: To confirm or rule out MS, your doctor may order various diagnostic tests. The primary test is an MRI scan, which provides detailed images of your brain and spinal cord to detect MS lesions. We offer MRIs right here in our comprehensive MS Center. Additionally, cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be recommended through a lumbar puncture to detect abnormal proteins associated with MS. A non-invasive evoked potentials test can also be used to measure the electrical activity of the brain to evaluate if there is a slowing of communication in the various parts of the brain. You may also be tested for other diseases with similar symptoms, in order to rule them out. These include Lyme disease, lupus, vitamin B12 deficiency, and certain rare hereditary disorders.

Discussion and Diagnosis: After gathering and analyzing the necessary information, your neurologist will discuss his or her findings with you. If the tests and evaluation suggest MS, you’ll receive a definitive diagnosis. This is the starting point for understanding and managing the condition.