Hi

I went through a long process also. First a family doctor sent me to an
Orthopedic doctor for hip problems. After intense therapy and a lot of working
out at the gym, I was in great shape, but I was still tripping, falling, and
had weakness in my left arm. I also had the tingling in my left leg. A new
family doctor failed me after trying to do some simple things. Had a MRI of my
head, and lesions were found. Went to a Neuro and had more tests. Still
probable. Then I had Optic Neuritis, and then they diagnosed me! When I
went to the specialist for my eye, he told me I had this before in my other
eye. That was 2/98, my dx was 3/2001. So, this took some time. There is no
definitive test for MS, everything else needs to be ruled out. To me, this is
precious time that the patient could be started on treatment. I lost a
considerable amount of mobility after my relapse in 3/2001. In hind sight, I
can go back to 1981 and I had some incidents where my left arm would just drop
when I would reach for something. I had a doctor look at me and do blood work.
I think he thought I was a flaky 20 year old. Keep pressing your doctor for
answers. You are your best advocate. I here the Cleveland Clinic is a great
place, sure they will help you there.

Sherry