If you have unexplained symptoms that are similar to those of multiple sclerosis (MS), see your GP. If your GP suspects MS, they will ask you for a detailed medical history, including past signs and symptoms as well as the current state of your health.

Your GP can refer you to a neurologist (a specialist in conditions of the central nervous system). If your GP suspects that you have MS, you should see a neurologist within six weeks.

Want to know more?

• Multiple Sclerosis Society: Just diagnosed with MS.
• Multiple Sclerosis Trust: Diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis of MS has been made, your neurologist may be able to identify which type of MS you have.

However, this often only becomes clear over time as the symptoms of MS are so varied and unpredictable. This is particularly true of benign MS (BMS), which can only be diagnosed once you have been free of symptoms for 10-15 years.

A diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may be made if:

• you have two relapses of your symptoms more than 30 days apart, or
• you have one relapse and an MRI scan shows new myelin damage or scarring three months later

A diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) may be made if:

• you have had relapses of your symptoms in the past, and
• you have become steadily more disabled for at least six months, with or without relapses

A diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) may be made if you have had no previous relapses of your symptoms, and:

• you have become steadily more disabled for at least one year
• an MRI scan shows damage and scarring to myelin
• a lumbar puncture shows that there are antibodies in the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord

In some cases, your neurologist may not be able to say for certain whether you have MS. This can happen when the test results are unclear, for example if your symptoms and lumbar puncture results point towards MS but there is no sign of myelin damage on the MRI scan.

If this is the case, your neurologist may tell you that you have possible MS. You may have to wait for your symptoms to relapse before a definite diagnosis can be made.

Glossary

• Lesions: A lesion is an abnormal change in an organ or body tissue because of injury or disease.
• Brain: The brain controls thought, memory and emotion. It sends messages to the body controlling movement, speech and senses.
• MRI: MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is the use of magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of inside the body.
• Inflammation: Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.