For many people, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is one step closer to treatment of a host of symptoms that have possibly been unexplained for a long time, sometimes years. The symptoms associated with this disease are so varied that many doctors are stymied as to their origin and the patient simply has to keep seeking answers until the right tests are performed and all the pieces of the puzzle come together.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the auto-immune system in which the Myelin Sheath that insulates the nerves is attacked and damaged. This damage prevents the nerves from communicating with each other properly and thus a host of symptoms begins to occur. Many of the symptoms are identical to those of other diseases and some are simply baffling to doctors. This makes diagnosing the disease hard and often time consuming.
Testing
In order to diagnose multiple sclerosis, the doctor must first have a complete overview of the symptoms that are being experienced. The combination of many different symptoms should lead to testing for multiple sclerosis. The difficulty lies in the fact that no two MS patients have identical symptoms. However, if MS is suspected, the doctor should order tests, including:
- Brain and spine MRI which allows the doctor to look for specific inflammation and lesions.
- Spinal Tap
- Neurological testing known as nerve conduction tests to look for nerve damage.
- Sed Rate: This is a lab test that will also indicate if inflammation is present.
A complete physical exam will also be done and will include coordination and strength tests to determine if those have been affected by anything, which, in this case would be the MS.
Treatment
Once the testing is completed and a diagnosis has been made, the next most important step is treatment of the disease. There are medications that will assist with the inflammation and symptoms and provide the necessary relief needed to live as symptom free as possible. There are multiple forms of treatment that doctors will provide and explain such as:
- Medications for many of the symptoms associated with MS such as fatigue, pain when walking, nausea and vomiting, UTI, spastic muscles, depression and much more. Some medications are available without a prescription, such as those for constipation and others are only available with a prescription.
- Self-care techniques and rehabilitative therapy: This includes therapy to help with any cognitive symptoms such as speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Rehabilitation Programs: These are programs designed to help with MS symptoms that have become severe and affected daily life. These programs help patients learn or relearn how to perform daily living functions despite having disabilities.
Rehabilitation programs should be considered part of an ongoing treatment for MS, as the disease progresses there are different types of programs, such as therapy for swallowing and speaking, physical therapy to assist with mobility and muscle tone, vocational rehabilitation, and cognitive rehabilitation.
Doctors and therapists, along with input from the patient, will put together a treatment plan for the newly diagnosed patient. This plan will be reassessed over time to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the patient adequately.
Disclosure
One of the first things many newly diagnosed MS patients ponder is who to tell, if anyone. There is no right or wrong answer as this is a personal decision. The important thing to keep in mind is that support is an important tool in fighting any disease.
Family members may be a support tool that is needed during this time. Friends don’t have to be told at first, unless there are some very close friends that will offer the needed support to deal with the disease.
Before disclosing the disease to employers, the newly diagnosed patient should carefully research the Americans with Disabilities Act and weigh the cost of disclosing the disease. Many people with MS decide not to inform their employer until they simply have to due to symptoms becoming too bad to continue working.
The decision about whether or not to tell people about being diagnosed with MS is not one that should be made on the spur of the moment. Although it shouldn’t matter, many people don’t want others to pity them or think they are disabled. The shock of the disease may at first have friends and family stunned and puzzled; however, if they research the symptoms and learn more about the disease they will soon see that it is okay to ask questions and act normally.
Ultimately, being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is a life-changing experience that requires an adjustment period. However, once a treatment plan is put in place and family and friends understand the disease, it can be dealt with like any other disease and life lived to the fullest.