How do I figure out if I have MS or not?

Here is My Question:
I have had symptoms of MS for the last 3 years. I received the wrong diagnosis 3 years ago. The rheumatologist said it was fibromyalgia which it wasn't.

In May 2017 my MRI showed one lesion on the juxtacortucal frontal opercula but my neurologist couldn't make a diagnosis based on this. I have pins and needles, burning limbs, numbness in my hands and feet, facial numbness and pain mostly in my upper jaw and pressure behind my eyeball. Vision has decreased but it's still ok. I'm tired and it is the worst in the afternoon. My body is in pain but only my left side is affected. I'm going for another brain MRI on May 25 2018.

My neurologist said he could not rule out MS at the moment, now he seems to think that it could be CIS remitting relapse which makes sense after telling me last year it was not MS at 100%.Please help!!!

Answer:
Making a diagnosis of MS remains complicated, even in the era of high field MRI scanners. The good news is that people with minimal MRI involvement and no atrophy early in the course of the disease tend to have a more benign prognosis. I assume the MRI of your spine did not show evidence of MS.

If an MRI of the spine has not been done this is your next step.
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Certainly you can repeat MRI scans every 6 to 12 months to help establish a diagnosis, but it is sometime useful to obtain a sample of spinal fluid and do visual evoked potentials when the MRI evidence of MS is minimal. Talk to your neurologist about these tests.
Good luck

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Clinical Neurosciences Director
University of California San Diego