Mono Sclerosis :: Stop MS in its tracks before it becomes Multiple

What is the Diagnosis?

The terms "Multiple" and "Sclerosis" are referred to as a diagnosis.

They are not; they are a description of the pathology. Multiple means more than one and Sclerosis scarring; Many Scars is as accurate a 'diagnosis' as Multiple Sclerosis.

Here you will find an array of tests to help diagnose your illness.

But will it be in time to stop it progressing further by enabling you to make your own judgements on how you want to tackle it?

The requirement for more than one area, i.e. at least two, to be affected is nonsense. The first of what may or may not be more than one could lead to permanent disability e.g. blindness or paralysis.

Unfortunateley there are some members of the medical profession who have a problem recognising the early syptoms of Mono Sclerosis and tend to wait untill you fall over before they are confident enough to either send you for an MRI (expensive) or to recommend further testing.

No significant progress can be made until this cycle is broken, but powerful forces resist change and 'MS' is central to the livelihood of neurologists and the industry it has created employs thousands of scientists around the World.

Magnetic resonance imaging has shown that the earliest change is detected as a bright spot on the image now termed by neurologists an Undentified Bright Object or 'UBO'. These areas are found in as many as 40% of the normal population. So whatever causes MS probably affects everyone at some time.

Using MRI regularly over six months in patients labelled as 'MS' has shown that UBOs usually disappear and so progression to scarring represents a failure to heal.

UBOs occur in a wide range of conditions from young divers to elderly patients and is related to an event in the blood vessels, not in the tissue, of the brain.

There is no evidence that the disease is due to the self destruction known as auto immunity as the changes that are said to be harmful e.g. T cell activity, occur in patients with strokes when they are actually getting better.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can show the chemicals present in the brain and lactic acid has been found to be present when UBOs form. It shows that the inflammation is associated with hypoxia, i.e. lack of oxygen.

If the lack of oxygen is not corrected then the area cannot heal and will eventually form a scar and there is no substitute for oxygen in this healing process.

In the meantime you may have progressed to the Multiple part of the illness. This progression is what we all want to avoid.

People with MS signs must be prepared to take the fight directly to their medical practioner and ask questions, don't be shy or intimidated by the man in the white coat....its your health not his!

It is the attitude of the clinical/medical profession is that there is nothing you can do to cure MS. Agreed but, why should we be allowed to suffer further by their ignorance and non-beleif of alternative treatments because there are not any clincal trials to prove conclusively that alternative therapies and management of the illness work.

I strongly beleive that the earlier you are diagnosed, then the earlier you can start the battle to fight MS. There are options available to fight this disease and its just not drugs. You will come across these options as you surf this site.

Neurological Examination

This method tests for abnormalities in nerve pathways, both motor and sensory. The neurologist looks for any changes in eye movements, limb co-ordination, balance, speech and reflexes, as well as any signs of weakness.

Visual and Auditory Evoked Potentials

Evoked potentials test the time it takes for the brain to receive and interpret messages. This is a totally non-invasive and painless test. Small electrodes are placed on the head to monitor brain waves responding to stimuli to the eyes and ears. You will be asked to look at a screen which is made up like a giant black and white board. In a healthy person, the response is virtually instantaneous. If demyelination has taken place, messages take longer to get through.

MRI Scan

The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner is a high-tech piece of equipment, linked to a computer, which takes detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord. It is very accurate and can pinpoint the exact location and size of plaques. Over 90% of MSers have plaques that show up on MRI scans. Despite this, it is not a conclusive MS test. Some people who are diagnosed with MS do not reveal any myelin damage on MRI scans. The MRI scanner is now used in most areas of the U.K. to diagnose MS.

Lumbar Puncture

This is a test which has been used for many years in the diagnosis of MS. A needle is inserted into the lower back, under local anaesthetic, and a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (which flows around the brain and spinal cord) is taken from the spinal cord. This fluid is then tested for antibodies.

Other Tests

Conditions that mimic MS can be ruled out using other tests. These include CT (Computer Axial Tomography) scans which give a cross-sectional image of the brain; tests to reveal certain antibodies in the blood and inner ear tests to check balance.