Epidemic or just quicker to diagnose? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

McV · 04-27-2008, 08:51 AM

You know, the thing I have been most amazed at following (sort of) diagnosis, is the number of people who have, or know people that have MS. Let's put it this way, I've hardly been shouting it from the rooftops but now keep my ears much more open than before and have found it amazing just how many people are touched by this disease. Doctors, lawyers, bankers, politicians you name it - MS is in their camp! I sometimes wonder how much our eating habits (processed food etc) and environment have to do with this illness - it certainly seems on the rise in 'developed countries'................or is it just that doctors are better able to diagnose? I do think doctors are quicker to diagnose, particularly in the US - whether they're diagnosing a specific disease, or a syndrome, I'm not sure....and frankly neither are they. I can only comment on the differences between UK and US doctors - US doctors wanted me on DMDs asap, purely on the strength of an MRI (no real symptoms, just a rogue MRI) UK doctors told me that was crazy and I should wait for a hint of progression before even thinking about it. Apparently there are many things throughout your life that can result in lesions....or so my eminent UK neuro tells me. Since then - no drugs, no new lesions in 8 months, negative spinal tap and now US doctors are telling me "Er, let's wait and see for a while". They still reckon I have it, but they're not quite so sure as before.

TXChica70 · 04-27-2008, 09:24 AM

I was living in The Netherlands when I was dx'd and their attitude is also a wait and see one. They don't really believe in prevention. I just thank my lucky stars the US does. I would hate to see how far the disease has to progress before my Dutch doctor did do something about it.

You're right about the 'everyone has it' thing. When I was dx'd, my mom was with me and when we returned to TX she called me about a week later and was telling me how such and such has MS or such and such's boss has MS. It's amazing. Before my diagnosis I never even knew really what MS was let alone anyone who had it. I was even approached by a woman in a store who overhead me talking about it with someone else to tell me her husband has MS - crazy.

Bearygood · 04-27-2008, 11:37 AM

IMHO, both. There have been articles just recently about how autoimmune diseases in general are on the rise.

Recently, I have been seriously miffed about how the number of MS patients in the US seems to have been stuck at 400,000. Just in the past year, I've seen SO many people dxed. Ironically, on the heels of my outrage, I saw someone talking about an impending survey on this number so it can be updated. AND, the source reported that the last survey was done in 1975.

I haven't researched this to verify it but if it is in fact true, it would explain that fixed number for so long although it's pretty horrible for a disease that requires more attention.

MommaEMS · 04-27-2008, 12:34 PM

I think that people really just don't pay attention to someone's dx unless it is someone close to them or people don't always talk about it. My Mom had breast cancer 35 years ago and so many people came out of the woodwork it seemed telling her about how they had over come it or someone very close to them that had. People that lived on the same street as us and we had no idea. Things were different then and cancer was something people didn't like to talk about especially breast cancer. Mom survived for 32 years and was an inspiration to many people and gave them hope.

Finding others with the same dx can be great for all involved. I'm very happy that I have found this site and can understand things better through all the postings. Thanks.

kimpossible67 · 04-27-2008, 01:19 PM

I'm concerned, too. I have it, a co-worker was dx'd in '05 with ppms, another two co-workers are being tested and a friend up north, who ironically is in the same profession, is being tested as well. I have a cousin with it (I was adopted by step-father so not a blood relation) and two family members on the maternal side and one on the paternal side with MS. My grandmother had psyorisis and my g.grandfather Parkinsons and his son Lou Gehrig's disease.