Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Symptoms

SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) vary from person to person depending on which parts of the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system) are damaged. The loss of myelin and scarring caused by MS can affect any part of the central nervous system.

Symptoms may come and go or become more or less severe from day to day or, in rare cases, from hour to hour. Symptoms may become more severe with increased (or, less commonly, decreased) body temperature or after a viral infection. Symptoms of MS, such as stiffness, tremors, pain, and difficulty thinking clearly, are similar to those of many other conditions and do not necessarily mean you have MS.

Early symptoms

Common early symptoms of MS include:

  • Muscle or motor symptoms, such as weakness, leg dragging, stiffness, a tendency to drop things, a feeling of heaviness, clumsiness, or a lack of coordination (ataxia).
  • Visual symptoms, such as blurred, foggy, or hazy vision, eyeball pain (especially when you move your eyes), blindness, or double vision. Optic neuritis—sudden loss of vision that is often painful—is a fairly common first symptom, occurring in up to 25% of those who have MS.
  • Sensory symptoms, such as tingling, a pins-and-needles sensation, numbness, a band of tightness around the trunk or legs, or electrical sensations moving down the back and legs.

Less common early symptoms include:

  • Balance symptoms, such as lightheadedness or dizziness, and a spinning feeling (vertigo).
  • Bladder symptoms, such as an inability to hold urine (urinary incontinence) or to completely empty the bladder, or a loss of bladder sensation—an inability to sense that the bladder is becoming full until there is a sudden, urgent need to urinate.

Advanced symptoms

As MS progresses, symptoms may become more severe and may include:

  • Increased muscle problems, such as weakness, leg dragging, clumsiness, or lack of coordination.
  • Stiff, mechanical movements (spasticity) or uncontrollable shaking (tremor), which may make walking hard. A wheelchair may be needed some or all of the time.
  • Pain and other sensory symptoms.
  • Incontinence or, less often, an inability to urinate (urinary retention).
  • Constipation and other bowel disorders.
  • Male erectile dysfunction (impotence) and female sexual dysfunction.
  • Cognitive and emotional problems, which are common in people who have had MS for some time.
    • Cognitive problems can mean memory loss, difficulty concentrating, reduced attention span, or difficulty finding the correct words.
    • Emotional symptoms can mean depression, anxiety, and anger. A rare symptom is excessive cheerfulness that seems inappropriate.
  • Feeling very tired (fatigue). This can be worse if symptoms such as pain, spasticity, bladder problems, anxiety, or depression make it hard to sleep.
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: November 10, 2010
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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