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Four Out Of Five MS Sufferers Misdiagnosed

Four out of five people with multiple sclerosis are misdiagnosed, a charity has warned.

The MS Society said 25% of sufferers are told they are simply suffering a trapped nerve, while about two-fifths (39%) are left waiting a year or more before they are diagnosed.

The charity said that while MS can be difficult to diagnose, delays such as these can be harmful as they prevent people from taking the necessary steps to manage their condition effectively.

Evidence has shown that early treatment has long-term benefits.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at the MS Society, said: "Our findings highlight the struggle people go through for years before they get an MS diagnosis.

"Being misdiagnosed or experiencing symptoms that can't be explained can put a considerable strain on people's emotions and health."

There are more than 100,000 people living with the condition in the UK and 5,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

"It's disappointing," said Dr Alan Thompson, consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology in London.

"One of the main reasons is that the symptoms of MS are variable and could be caused by a lot of other things.

"It can be a mixture of numbness and tingling or a bit of imbalance or a loss of vision and these symptoms can last for four to six weeks and then disappear.

"There's a general lack of awareness of MS and what the symptoms are and this is what we need to address."

There is no cure for MS, which affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with muscle movement, balance and vision.

It is the most common disabling neurological condition in young adults, with symptoms usually starting in the 20s and 30s, yet awareness remains low.

Its causes are complex and not completely understood, but typical early symptoms include numbness, tingling, limb weakness, lack of co-ordination, loss of sight, fatigue and bladder and bowel problems.

Of the 1,515 people questioned for the survey to mark World MS Day, the most common early symptoms were reported as being numbness and altered sensations in different parts of the body (53%), sight problems (47%) and difficulty with walking (41%).