How does one know what MS type they have?
Do Neurologists typically explain the type of MS when diagnosed? I am 71 and did not get a type assigned to me.
Usually your neurologist will tell you. If not, be sure to ask your neurologist what type of MS are you
Yes, I called. The receptionist who is very nice told me the Doctor said it was Progressive and is now Arrested. I am 71 with MS symptoms since my late fifties but went undiagnosed. Many Doctors thought MS but would not give diagnosis. I recently saw an orthopedist who strongly urged me to see a Neurologist after my exam and the Neurologist showed me the brain MRI and it was quite troubling and he said he believed it had started in my forties as there are so many lesions. So Progressive but now arrested is weird. Never heard that. He also does not like to treat after age 60 as he believes damage has stopped. I do not have the energy to get a second opinion. He increased the Gabapentin and took me off Wellbutrin due to seizure possibility and started me on Prozac. Mega dose of Vitamin D. See him in 3 months to evaluate symptoms. arrested??
Your neurologist will give you the stage.
Not all neurologist are specialist in MS and so the terminology they use may not be the same that you would find on an MS focused website for instance. He may be saying that you have one of the progressive types like a secondary progressive MS but that it does not seem to be changing very much at the moment. Doctor's use the term "arrested" to mean "not moving" or "not changing" in doctor speak.
One evaluation tool some MS specialists use to determine the type of MS is explained in this article:
https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/mcdonald-criteria/
I hope you find this helpful. If you have other questions, please let me know. Donna Steigleder.Thank you Donna for this information. There are few neurologists where I live. He is very thorough but not being an MS specialist it makes sense that his terminology may be different. I brought old MRI's to my appointment but I think he was more concerned with the most recent which showed multiple lesions. It all makes sense given the long history of so many illnesses but there is still a small part of me that struggles to accept the diagnosis. Can you recommend any articles about accepting the diagnosis? Thanks.
