Is it Lupus or MS?

[Guest guest]

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous

system (CNS).

Lupus is an auto-immune disease affecting the whole body (muscles,

skin, organs, blood).

In Multiple Sclerosis, inflammation of nerve tissue causes the loss

of myelin, a fatty material which acts as insulation for the nerve fibers

in the brain and spinal cord. This loss of myelin is called "demyelination".

It leaves multiple areas of scar tissue (sclerosis) along the covering

of the nerve cells. This scar tissue is what disrupts the ability of the

nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain, producing

the various symptoms of MS.

MS is a disease known by its symptoms, and many people normally do not

think of the demyelination that is occurring but rather think of what they

"feel". Symptoms of MS vary from one person to another, as well as from

day to day. Lupus symptoms vary from person to person as well.

Symptoms of MS may include:

Bowel and Bladder Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms (Brain fog)

Coordination/Balance Symptoms

Depression and Anxiety

Motor Symptoms (slower walking ability, dragging of foot)

Seizures

Sensory Symptoms such as feelings of numbness and pins and needles

Swallowing and Speech Problems

Visual Symptoms such as blurring of vision or partial loss of vision

It is important to note that MS symptoms may be transient (come and go),

be mild, moderate or severe and appear in any combination. There are medications

that help ease many of these symptoms. Whenever a new symptom appears or

an old symptom worsens, it is important to contact your physician for neurological

exam and discussion.

Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis mimic each other. Diagnosing either of

them takes a battery of tests.

Lupus can usually be diagnosed with blood and urine tests, listing of

symptoms, and by skin lesion biopsy. Whereas MS is usually diagnosed by

using contrast dye in an MRI of the brain and / or spine.

The scarring along the nerve tissues will show up as white dense spots

on the MRI. This scarring is the telling point for a diagnosis of MS over

Lupus.