Multiple sclerosis (MS) Misdiagnosis sometimes warrants a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition with a complicated set of symptoms. There are a number of conditions that present similar symptoms, which can make it very difficult to diagnose. These conditions require very different treatments from MS, and a misdiagnosis can allow the disease to go unchecked. Knowing which conditions mimic the symptoms of MS can help doctors and patients reach the right conclusion faster.

Autoimmune Diseases

Many of the symptoms of MS mimic an autoimmune disease. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and can result in headache, seizure, vomiting, weight loss, and loss of muscular function. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, is another inflammatory condition affecting the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. Lupus can also cause fatigue and seizures, as well as hair loss, anemia, skin rash, and sensitivity to light.

In most cases, lupus can be ruled out using an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, but MS may also produce a positive result, and lupus patients may falsely test negative. Testing for various symptoms, such as kidney trouble or lesions on the spinal cord, can help eliminate MS as an option.

Other autoimmune diseases that can be confused with MS are:

• Sjögren’s syndrome – a systemic condition in which white blood cells attack moisture producing glands, resulting in dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, joint pain and numbness; can usually be ruled out by nerve conduction velocity test
• Myasthenia Gravis (MG) – muscle weakness caused by interruptions in nerve signals, resulting in muscle weakness, droopy eyelids, and impaired eye coordination; blood test for acetylcholine receptor serum antibodies can identify MG in most patients
• Sarcoidosis – a disease that causes dry mouth, skin rash, abnormal vision, arthritis, and respiratory distress; can be diagnosed by chest x-ray

Infectious Diseases

Lyme disease, caused by a bacteria carried by deer ticks, has symptoms such as stiff neck, fatigue, tingling or numbness in extremities, and facial palsy. Blood tests can often give false results when testing for Lyme disease, so evidence of a tick bite is the easiest way to credibly diagnose the disease. Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus-1 (HTLV1), a condition causing progressive spinal cord dysfunction, can appear very similar to primary progressive MS, presenting symptoms such as spasticity, partial paralysis, incontinence, and impotence. Along with neurosyphilis, which causes cognitive difficulties, it can be diagnosed with an elevated antibody test.

Vascular Diseases

A stroke can also have similar symptoms to a MS attack, such as impaired vision, difficulty walking or controlling muscles, dizziness, headache, trouble speaking, nausea, or fever. Severe strokes are much more extreme than MS attacks, but minor strokes are often confused with MS. Diseases affecting the blood vessels in the brain, such as central nervous system Angina, Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas, and Binswanger’s, result in a wide variety of symptoms, but can also be confused with MS.

There are many other conditions that mimic MS, including fibromyalgia, which is notoriously difficult to diagnose but causes widespread pain and fatigue. In extreme cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can have symptoms such as demyelination, numbness and tingling of extremities, fatigue, weakness, and cognitive changes that are similar to MS. Occasionally, MS can be confused with diseases such as muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), hypo-thyroidism, hypertension, Beçhets, Arnold-Chiari deformity, mitochondrial disorders, or even migraines, but these are typically easier for a neurologist to rule out.

An early MS diagnosis can make the difference between successfully managing the disease and a lifetime of suffering. MS can manifest in a variety of ways, and the number of conditions that present similarly to MS can distract doctors from the correct diagnosis. While patients wait to get the treatment they need, irreparable damage may be done. If you are suffering as a result of a MS misdiagnosis, an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in New Jersey can help you review your legal options.

New Jersey Medical Malpractice Law Firm of Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Advocate for MS Misdiagnosis Victims

New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP have been successfully representing clients in misdiagnosis and medical negligence cases for years. Our team has the knowledge and experience to get you the compensation you deserve. With offices conveniently located in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River, we help MS misdiagnosis victims in New Jersey. Call us at 732-777-0100 or contact us online for a free consultation with a qualified New Jersey medical malpractice lawyer.