Preparing for your next visit with your health care provider?
Get help from My Conversation Starter:
- Identify preferences for your relapsing MS treatment routine, including dosing, administration and product features, using the Treatment Guide.
- Keep track of your symptoms using the Symptom Guide
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms
Not all people with relapsing multiple sclerosis experience the same symptoms. They vary from person to person. The type of relapsing multiple sclerosis symptoms and signs you experience may depend on where the disease activity is happening. For example, disease activity in one part of the brain may cause dizziness. Similarly, disease activity in the spinal cord may cause weakness, while disease activity on the optic nerve may cause blurred vision.
The most common symptoms of MS include:
- Fatigue (feelings of tiredness)
- Muscle stiffness and spasms (spasticity)
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Vision problems
- Problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving
- Sexual issues
- Pain
- Depression or mood swings
- Weakness
While there is no way to know how long a symptom may last, or whether it will go away completely or persist, don't be discouraged. You and your health care professional can work together to develop a symptom management strategy that may help. Knowing what your MS symptoms are, tracking how long your symptoms last and discussing any changes in symptoms with your health care team will help tailor a plan to suit your specific needs.
Knowing what your symptoms are, tracking how long your symptoms last and discussing any changes in symptoms with your health care team will help tailor a plan to suit your specific needs.
Become a member and check out My Conversation Starter, which can help you record details about the MS symptoms you may be experiencing to bring to your health care professional.
Relapse and remission
The course of multiple sclerosis can be hard to predict. In relapsing MS, people typically have obvious periods of time when their MS symptoms get worse. These periods are called relapses. Your health care professional may call them "attacks," "exacerbations" or "flare-ups."
Relapses are not the same as symptoms. A relapse is an event lasting more than 24 hours when old symptoms worsen or new ones appear with a change in your neurological examination. MS relapses may occur at any time, usually without warning. They may be mild or severe. In relapsing MS, relapses are followed by a long or short period of time when symptoms completely or partially go away.
The intensity and impact of relapses can range from mild to severe. They may even be hard to identify at times. For example, you may feel tingling in your fingers—and while you may think it's just a part of living with relapsing MS, it might actually be a mild relapse.
In MS, remission is a period of time in which your symptoms may partially or completely subside. These periods of time may be either short or long, and may be characterized by a return to a level of health similar or equal to what you were experiencing prior to your last relapse.
Tips that may help manage multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms
When you're living with relapsing MS, it's important to take proactive steps that may help manage some of your symptoms. This may help you feel more in control.
- Keep a detailed record of your MS symptoms and their duration
- Go to all scheduled appointments with your health care professional and get regular recommended diagnostic testing
- Keep physically active when able
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Stay cool
- Seek out support
When you're living with relapsing MS, it's important to take proactive steps that may help manage some of your symptoms.
When should I call someone about my multiple sclerosis symptoms?
Talk to your health care professional about when it may be important for you to call for information or help. A partial list of reasons to call may include:
- If you experience loss of vision or blurry vision
- If you have an abrupt change in bowel or bladder function
- If you think you have a urinary tract infection
- If you have feelings of depression or thoughts of hurting yourself
- Any time you are concerned about a symptom or feeling
This is not a complete list. Ask your health care professional about when you should call. Remember, you should always call any time you have questions or concerns.
Keeping track of MS symptoms
Keeping track of any symptoms or relapses that occur, and keeping track of how you are feeling may make it easier for you and your health care professional follow your relapsing MS and develop a strategy that can work for you. Some people find that a treatment journal or checklist can be helpful.
Become a member and check out My Conversation Starter, which can help you record details about the MS symptoms you may be experiencing to bring to your health care professional.
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