Mono Sclerosis :: Stop MS in its tracks before it becomes Multiple

What are the Symptoms?

Multiple Sclerosis varies considerably from one person to another. It can cause different symptons which affect various parts of the body. Most sufferers only experience a few of these symptons and no one has all of them.

Symptons depend on the location of plaques. Myelin (see What is?) damage can affect nerves to the eyes, parts of the brain, the brain stem and spinal cord. Damage to motor nerves can affect movement while damage to sensory nerves can result in numbness or tingling. There is nothing wrong with the actual muscles or sensory organs; it is simply that not all the right messages are getting through.

It is possible to have a variety of symptons at different times and although some symptons are very common, there is not a typical set that applies to everyone and they can vary in severity and duration. They can be mild and short-lived, or severe and longer-lasting, but most are somewhere in between.

Some symptons are more common in the early stages of the disease, while others occur later. They may be obvious to other people or hidden and 'silent' - difficult for people without MS to understand.

Symptons may start with double or blurred vision, pain at the back of the eye or nerve pain in the face, similar to neuralgia. MSers can experience ringing in the ears or hearing problems, tingling ('pins and needles') or numbness in the legs, feet, arm or hands. Others experience giddiness and loss of balance, especially in the dark. MSers also find it hard to concentrate and may become forgetful, or experience anxiety, depression, or other changes in behaviour.

The list of symptons may also include fatigue (especially in hot weather and even in hot bath's), weakness, difficulty in walking or muscle pain. Some MSers experience problems with speech or with bladder or bowel control. Many men may find it more difficult to get an erection, although this can come and go like other symptons, and both men and women may need more stimulation to stay aroused.

As you can see, the symptons are so varied that it is safe to say that no two sufferers are the same. That makes it difficult to actually pin down a type or form of treatment that works for everyone.