Being Diagnosed with MS
When a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is made, many find it usually leaves them or their family with an urgent need for information. Many times they have no idea where to begin to find information on a disease that they may not have heard of before. As they read the information that they have found, they hope that what is found is at least unbiased and true. As more information is found and read, it should help easy any uncertainty and confirm what if factual. There are a great many sources that can answer your questions or at least inform you enough so that you will know what to ask your doctor.

It's very important that when diagnosed with this disease, you find out as much information that you can about it from many different sources. Take all this information that you find and talk to your doctor, ask questions and get answers. There are so many good doctors out there, but you have to make sure that the neurologist you choose is compatible with you. Just like a spouse, you need to make sure that you can communicate well with each other, if not, misunderstandings are likely to occur. Make sure that he or she listens to everything you say and answers all of your questions to your satisfaction (this may not be like all spouses).

All of the pharmaceutical companies that make the current medications are a great source of information. They will provide statistics and trial information on how well their drug works. They will also compare their medication to the other available medications, but pause and remember that they are in the business of making money and are biased about using their treatment. All of the information regarding the drug comparisons needs to be viewed as if it were a commercial on television. A pretty package can never be the determining factor in any decision, but rather the facts and results. It's important to keep an open mind as to a course of treatment and which is best suited for you.

One thing you must remember is that if you aren't happy with your current neurologist, switch. Most doctors would agree that the patient must feel comfortable with them, and that the course of treatment must be made by both neurologist and patient. Don't worry about hurting the doctor's feelings; in this case it's all about you and your health. Some neurologists may have a preference for some medications and not for others, ask why. Remember that once an agreement is made on a specific course of treatment, start it and stay on it. This is a commitment that's very important to keep.

The Diagnosis

When all of the tests are completed a diagnosis usually can be determined. The greater number of positive test results will provide the doctors with a better sense of certainty of a diagnosis. The neurologist making the diagnosis will usually classify the disease in one of three ways: Definite, Probable, or Possible.

"Definite MS" means that the symptoms and test results all point toward MS as the cause. "Probable MS" and "Possible MS" reflect less certainty and may require more time for observing the progression of the disease and the distribution of symptoms. A diagnosis of "Possible MS" could also end up as "Not MS" if further tests determine without a doubt that it isn't possible.

Most people find that it's important to find out either yes it's MS or no it's not. If the diagnosis is yes then they can begin to deal with that issue and if the answer is no then they have to try to find out what else it could be. When the answer is somewhere in the middle, then they are usually left in a state of limbo just wanting answers.

10 Rules of MS Care

When being diagnosed with MS, a patient's doctor must look at the "now" as well as every possible step in the future. A good and clear plan must be established that looks at every aspect of a patient's needs. A good example of this is Doctor William Stuart, founder and Medical Director of The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Atlanta, and his guiding rules in regard to patient care. Many doctors probably use this or a similar set of rules, however, it's important that the patient is made aware of what is expected of their doctor and of themselves.

Doctor Stuart's 10 Rules of MS Care are as follows:

1. Diagnosis
Paramount in MS care is making or confirming an accurate diagnosis. All subsequent care is dependant on Rule One.
2. Education and Early Treatment
For patients to accept and follow early and long-term treatment, it is essential that they first be knowledgeable about their disease.
3. Symptom Management
Quality of life with MS is not only affected by control of disease progression, but also symptom management.
4. Disease Course Monitoring
All MS progression is not clinically apparent. Vigilant clinical and MRI monitoring are equally important in outcome and treatment decisions.
5. Management of Disease Progression
Single drug therapies are often effective. Increasingly, they need to be supplemented with a multiple drug regimen to ensure more control of disease progression.
6. Physical and Emotional Conditioning
MS is presumed to be an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It does not occur independent from a patient's general physical and emotional health.
7. Living with MS
"Accept, take control, and move on!"
8. Rehabilitation Management
Use rehabilitation to regain what may have been lost. Also to maintain and strengthen what is still being used.
9. Assistive Devices
When MS creates physical obstacles, rehabilitation is "taking control" and assistive devices are "moving on."
10. Life Planning
While the future will bring a cure, current expectations of productivity must sometimes be modified. Careful monitoring of resources and position can be achieved through planning.

Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) has been used to describe a first neurologic episode that lasts at least 24 hours, and caused by inflammation and/or demyelination in one or more sites in the CNS. That first episode can be monofocal or multifocal:

Monofocal episode - The person experiences a single neurologic sign or symptom. For example, an attack of optic neuritis — that’s caused by a single lesion.
Multifocal episode - The person experiences more than one sign or symptom. For example, an attack of optic neuritis accompanied by weakness on one side — caused by lesions in more than one place.