I'd like to introduce myself

I really HATE insurance companies, second-guessing a doctor's recommendation!  ARRGGGH.  Do you have an appeals process you can go through, with the company?  Get your doctor to write a letter, too (and write..don't just call them). Sometimes they'll reverse their "opinion".

And of course get back to your doctor with this "simple" question.. "NOW what??" and see if he has anything he can offer.   It is possible to make a diagnosis without an MRI, but they certainly are useful.

I'm really sorry you're in this position. Another thought -- try calling the local chapter of the National MS Society.  If there aren't any in your town, they might be in the next larger town.  Or go to the National MS Society webpage -- www.nmss.org and look around. They have a list somewhere there of local chapters.  They have lawyers that might be able (for free) to help you deal with the insurance company, too.

Hey free4mykids!

Welcome to the board! I'm so sorry for u'r reason to be here, but really glad u found us! I agree with Uppity...stay on this! Calls and letters are definitely in order. After all...this is a service u'r paying for...they need to listen to u and u'r docs. Most everyone here has had some sort of insurance prob somewhere along this journey and we can all empathize with u. Hang in there friend and keep pushing for coverage to 'insure' good health care. Like Uppity said, MS can be diagnosed without mri, but really they are quite helpful and can certainly speed the dx process at times. In the meantime tho, get those other things ruled out and get closer to either an ms dx or some other answer. Again, welcome to the board!

Welcome to the board and a great community Free! We've already met on the post about my spasms but oh man, your story is so similar to my own!

I have struggled for over 12 years with symptom after symptom creeping up on me but not being enough until this past couple years to get my GP concerned ... she sent me to a great neuro here in town but he's wise to those confounded insurance companies and when he ordered my MRI's it was on the basis of pituitary study, brain concerns (looking for tumors etc.)... she really needs to be creative. But when he ordered the nerve conduction test, it was denied and I'm making payments on it. He and I have actually discussed this. He has experience with his own sister who's MS and cannot get insurance because of it.

I have had the MRI's and no lesions found so far but all the other symptoms are present enough for him to finally dx me MS. I'm learning from everyone here... alot! Welcome here!