12 years, that is one of the longer times I have seen. I think it is our responsibility to focus on the diagnosis issue, we have to raise our voice for the next generation, these extended diagnosis times are completely unacceptable.

Not knocking docs, at all, but they just as lost about this condition as we are, but least we know ourselves!

MS is so complex and mimics so many other diseases, it’s hard to know when each person with MS symptoms differ from one another. MRI’s and Spinal Tap are how I was diagnosed.

DeanaBrown, there is a key part of your answer that is soooo true. The docs and medical field need to spend more time listening to and communicating with their patients. One of the things that I have found is that if I don't think they are listening to me, I then bombard them with emails, phone calls, and set up appointments. If that doesn't work, I head into the hospital and then that seems to get their attention. Now, this costs me a little more, but it gets their attention. I have to weigh what's important for me to have addressed. So far though I've been blessed with good docs who do listen for the most part. But that is a key part of the diagnosis, and long term care.

Again, it's so important to have a doc that listens to you!!!