What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?!
Question: What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.?
someone told me that I might have multiple sclerosis and to look it up online, and I did look it up, but all I could find had a ton of medical terms that I don't understand. So please, explain the symptoms in simple terms.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
The best advice I have is to have great communication with your GP neurologist!
MS causes demyelinization (loss of myelin). When myelin is damaged, nerve impulse conduction is faulty or absent, causing impaired body functions or sensations. Which symptoms occur is based on the part of the brain affected. Myeline can attempt to heal itself, forming a plaque or scar, never returns to 100% function.
There are many symptoms of MS, but visual changes (blurred vision, color distortion, or sudden blindness in one eye) are often the first ones people notice.
Other common symptoms:
Fatigue, Numbness, Gait/Balance/Coordination Problems, Bladder Dysfunction (infections, retention, spasms), Constipation, Dizziness/Vertigo, Sexual Dysfunction (erectile dysfunction for men, decreased lubrication and sensitivity for women), Pain, Cognitive Function (decreased concentration, attention deficit, memory loss), Emotional Changes, Depression, Spasticity
Less common:
Speech Disorders (problems articulating), Swallowing Problems, Headache, Hearing Loss, Seizures/Tremor, Breathing Problems, Itching
Because the symptoms have a broad range and are often subtle, MS may not be diagnosed for months or years after the onset of symptoms. A good neurologist will run tests to look for MS as well as to rule out other possible causes before making a diagnosis of MS.
Some diagnostic tests used are:
*Blood work - look for Vit B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers
*MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium - identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.
*Evoked potentials - hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.
*Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. Can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.
For a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and a physical indicator (i.e. change in the central nervous system) must occur. You have a history of symptoms, now you need to have the diagnostic tests. Be assertive with your GP if you need to.Health Question & Answer
MS causes demyelinization (loss of myelin). When myelin is damaged, nerve impulse conduction is faulty or absent, causing impaired body functions or sensations. Which symptoms occur is based on the part of the brain affected. Myeline can attempt to heal itself, forming a plaque or scar, never returns to 100% function.
There are many symptoms of MS, but visual changes (blurred vision, color distortion, or sudden blindness in one eye) are often the first ones people notice.
Other common symptoms:
Fatigue, Numbness, Gait/Balance/Coordination Problems, Bladder Dysfunction (infections, retention, spasms), Constipation, Dizziness/Vertigo, Sexual Dysfunction (erectile dysfunction for men, decreased lubrication and sensitivity for women), Pain, Cognitive Function (decreased concentration, attention deficit, memory loss), Emotional Changes, Depression, Spasticity
Less common:
Speech Disorders (problems articulating), Swallowing Problems, Headache, Hearing Loss, Seizures/Tremor, Breathing Problems, Itching
Because the symptoms have a broad range and are often subtle, MS may not be diagnosed for months or years after the onset of symptoms. A good neurologist will run tests to look for MS as well as to rule out other possible causes before making a diagnosis of MS.
Some diagnostic tests used are:
*Blood work - look for Vit B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers
*MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium - identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.
*Evoked potentials - hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.
*Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. Can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.
For a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and a physical indicator (i.e. change in the central nervous system) must occur. You have a history of symptoms, now you need to have the diagnostic tests. Be assertive with your GP if you need to.Health Question & Answer
The symptoms can vary from person to person, sometimes the symptoms come and go, sometimes they stick around forever. They can be anything from your legs not working correctly, to not being able to see right for a while. My mom has it and she once had half her face become paralyzed for no reason. It eventually came back but it is very unpredictable. She also can have problems with simple math that anybody knows. She will try to add 5 cents to 10 cents and she knows she should know the answer but can't get it. You should definitely see a doctor.Health Question & Answer
Everyone has a different experience with MS. There is a very, very wide range of symptoms of varying intensities and every one of the symptoms are indicative of other diseases and conditions which makes self diagnosis close to impossible. Most people with MS get tingling and numbness in some part of the body. About 50% of us experience problems with our sight which may or may not include total blindness. Other symptoms include, but are not limited to incontinence, constipation, impaired walking ability, difficulty with speech, difficulty swallowing, pain, impaired memory, loss of cognitive (thinking) abilities, muscle cramps and balance problems. The list goes on and on because MS involves destruction of the protective covering on the nerves. So what symptoms a person with multiple sclerosis experiences all depends on what part of the body is attacked. The disease is not fatal. Most people have the type of MS in which the symptoms come and go. Someone with MS may be incapable of walking one week and then regain that ability a few weeks or months later. Or they can go blind in one eye and then regain their sight over time. The same with all the other symptoms. Health Question & Answer
2 yrs ago, i was getting "unusual" headaches...migraines that would last 24-7 for 2 months. I was sent to a neurologist,and she sent me for an mri to look for brain tumors. I had brain legions...no brain tumors. brain legions are tell-tale signs of ms.
my other symptoms are;
indescribable fatigue
body pain (i describe it as if my skeleton is about to break, kinda pain!)
memory lapses
word searching
forgetfulness
clumsiness/off balance
depression
sensitivity to heat and cold
every one experiences these syptoms or more...sometimes none at all.
your nuerologist is the one who can fully diagnose you for ms.
i wish you luck.
-maryHealth Question & Answer
my other symptoms are;
indescribable fatigue
body pain (i describe it as if my skeleton is about to break, kinda pain!)
memory lapses
word searching
forgetfulness
clumsiness/off balance
depression
sensitivity to heat and cold
every one experiences these syptoms or more...sometimes none at all.
your nuerologist is the one who can fully diagnose you for ms.
i wish you luck.
-maryHealth Question & Answer
A "P.S." to the above great answers - only an MRI can determine if you have MS. Have your MD refer you to a Neurologist to be sure. I was diagnosed two years ago and have just started on daily injections of Copaxzone - a promising drug designed to stop new lesions from forming and rebuilding myelin (this is like insulation on a wire - this is what deteriorates, causing a myriad of symptoms). My symptoms were weird nerve pains in my hands, legs/feet and terrible fatigue. I was falling asleep at work!Health Question & Answer