My name is Jen and two months ago I develped optic neuritis in my right eye. Had IV steriods followed by prednisone. A week after my eye went wacky, I developed weakness through out my whole body and my right side is weaker than my left. I was dropping things, tripping, I couldn't walk very well. I was shuffling my feet, my arms and legs felt very heavy, I was tired all the time (was napping at least twice a day). I had tingling in my feet and hands which comes and goes. And my muscles tend to be jerky when I used them.
I had an MRI, that was negative. An EMG, that was negative. Blood work, which was normal.
Today, after two months, I still have these symptoms but they have gotten somewhat better. My doctor is kind of looking at MS but said he won't diagnose unless I have another attack. My question is do lesions have to be present in the very early stage of MS? If so, why does it take so long for people to get diagnosed if it is as easy as an MRI?