Future of treatment for MS is biologic
Daytona Beach News-Journal - Daytona Beach,FL,USA
YONG H. TSAI Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.
It occurs when immune cells, designed to protect us from infection ...
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MS Society Announces Media Award Winners, Canada
Medical News Today (press release) - UK
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada announced the winners of its annual John Alexander Media Awards, recognizing excellence in print and broadcast ...
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Teva's Multiple Sclerosis Drug Slows The Disease
eMaxHealth.com - Hickory,NC,USA
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' new drug laquinimod for multiple sclerosis slows the disease in patients with relapsing form. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a ...
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Diagnosis and Types of MS

Dr. Short

Medical Chair Neurorehabilitation Program QEII Health Sciences Centre

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Q :
Two months ago I woke up one morning with my entire left side numb (like it was asleep) and extreme muscle stiffness. The initial diagnosis was "a virus" and I was sent home. It slowly disappeared and each day I felt a bit better until it was nearly gone. Then two weeks after the initial attack it came back again, only worse this time. I went to a different doctor who immediately sent me for blood work and put me on track for an MRI. I have just received the results of my MRI and altogether there are at least 13 lesions in my brain. I have been referred to a MS and am waiting for them to contact me.
My question is that although I have lesions in my brain, my relapsing episodes only happened two weeks apart. Will I have to wait until I have another episode to be "officially" diagnosed with MS?
A :
The answer here is no you do not have to wait for another relapse to be diagnoses with MS. There are a number of factors that go into the diagnosis of MS and the history of relapses are just one. Your MS specialists will use certain criteria to determine if you have MS or not. Your clinical story along with the MRI findings and physical exam findings by the MS doctor you are going to see should be enough to tell you whether or not you have MS without having to wait for another relapse.
6/23/2008 11:23:02 AM
More answers from Dr. Christine Short
More answers in the category: Diagnosis and Types of MS
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that this information does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MS Society of Canada, and is not intended as medical advice. For specific advice and opinion, always consult a physician.
© 2008 Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada | www.mssociety.ca
http://www.msanswers.ca/QuestionView.aspx?L=2&QID=1660

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Vitamin D is in the news -- and it's all good
Toronto Sun - Ontario, Canada
By FRAN BERKOFF Well, here's food for thought: Recent new studies are giving more good reasons for us to get ample vitamin D, enjoy a glass of wine, ...
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Julie Deardorff |
Chicago Tribune - United States
A lack of sunlight, which leads to low vitamin D levels, could be another factor. Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D, which fetuses need for ...
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Suffering from pain? Pop vitamin D
Times of India - India
For people suffering from chronic pain, an extra dose of vitamin D may offer a better treatment option, according to a new research report. ...
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Riders find hope on the road
Vernon Morning Star - BC, Canada
The research they are supporting was done by McMaster University team led by Dr. Michel Rathbone and Dr. Schucui Jiang, who successfully regenerated the ...
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