Your physician has just delivered life-changing news: You have multiple sclerosis (MS).
Finding out you have a condition like MS can be scary and overwhelming. And with so much information available, from so many different sources, you may be curious about whether your physician has given you the best diagnosis or treatment plan.
At this point, you may be considering getting a second opinion about the diagnosis itself or the different treatment options available to you.
Questions and Answers from the Penn Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center
The Penn Comprehensive MS Center explains why a second opinion may be right for you.
Q: Why should people get a second opinion about their MS diagnosis or treatment?
First of all, people do things differently at different institutions. Getting a second opinion can not only give you another perspective but may help you ensure that you have gotten the correct diagnosis.
Second, MS is a major diagnosis. It can be a lot to hear, and difficult to understand. If nothing else, a second opinion opens up a dialogue. It lets the diagnosis sink in and gives you more opportunities to ask questions.
Q: Should everyone get a second opinion?
It’s a very personal choice, so it’s completely up to you. If you’re comfortable with your diagnosis, you don’t have to get a second opinion.
We tell patients—if you have an inclination to get a second opinion, do it. That way you won’t be wondering later, “What if I saw someone else? Would they say the same thing?”
Q: Would you be offended if a patient got another opinion?
Absolutely not. As physicians, we always want what’s best for our patients. We want you to feel comfortable with your diagnosis and treatment plan.
If that means getting a second opinion, there’s no reason for us to be upset or offended. In fact, whenever patients mention that they might want a second opinion, we always encourage them to do so.
Q: Is it common for the second opinion to differ from the first?
More often than not, physicians agree. But if two physicians are giving you completely opposing diagnoses or treatment options, it might not hurt to see a third person for a tiebreaker.
Q: Is there such a thing as gathering too many opinions?
Of course, you can get as many opinions as you feel you need—but at some point, if everyone is saying the same thing, you may end up dragging your feet.
If you have seen five or six physicians, and have heard the same thing over and over again, it is probably time to take their advice and move forward or get started with treatment.
Q: Let’s say a patient sees you, goes somewhere else for another opinion, then comes back to you. Would you prefer to be told about the second opinion?
Yes. Like we mentioned, physicians won’t be offended. We just don’t want there to be too many cooks in the kitchen.
However, there can be a downside to seeing physicians in different practices or institutions. You could have prescriptions floating around in different places, and it may be difficult to keep track of everything, such as tests and treatment plans.
We want to make sure we have all of the information and am on the same page as others who have treated you, in order to provide the best care.
Q: If you are the one providing the second opinion, do you want to know that is the case? Would hearing someone else’s diagnosis bias your diagnosis?
We have had some patients be secretive, and pretend our team is giving the first opinion. But if possible we prefer to have all of the cards on the table to understand your diagnosis.
Another physician’s diagnosis won’t bias our analysis, but it can help point the Penn MS Center in a good direction.
Q: Are there any red flags that signal to patients that they may want to get another opinion?
It’s mostly about your own comfort level as a patient. However, we would be wary of physicians who speak in absolutes, like, “This 100% is MS,” or “This never happens.” If the opposite of that absolute statement happens, it can be extremely frustrating as a patient.
Q: Why is a second opinion especially important for MS patients?
You may get diagnosed with MS when you don’t actually have it. Other syndromes (e.g., vascular disease) can masquerade as MS, and cause very similar symptoms. And, while it’s rare, other diseases like cancer or infections can be misdiagnosed as MS.
We have also seen patients diagnosed with MS when they actually have neuromyelitis optica (NMO). NMO and MS cause many of the same symptoms, like weakness or vision problems. But they behave differently and may need to be treated differently. In order to get the correct treatment, you need to be positive that you have the right diagnosis.
Q: Is MS ever misdiagnosed as something else?
Yes, not uncommonly as lyme disease. We have encountered several MS patients who have been told they have chronic lyme disease. Physicians treat it with antibiotics, but it gets worse, and the patient can develop other health problems. If we delve deeper, we may discover that it’s MS and get them on the appropriate treatment plan.
Q: Do you ever ask your colleagues for another opinion?
The correct diagnosis often relies on people working together. Our team will give special kudos to our radiologists, who can be key in interpreting imaging tests and making a diagnosis. But we also rely on urologists, ophthalmologists, and a host of other team members in diagnosing and treating different aspects of neurologic disease.