BMJ Group Medical Reference
You can get many different symptoms from multiple sclerosis (MS).
To read more about the symptoms of MS, click on the links below.[1]
This is known as clinically isolated syndrome (or CIS for short).
Your optic nerve might become inflamed (optic neuritis) for a short time. Or you may get inflammation of your spinal cord (transverse myelitis) or a brainstem lesion. Between 3 in 10 and 7 in 10 people who have a single episode of nerve inflammation may go on to have multiple sclerosis.
You don't have to just put up with your symptoms. A lot can be done to help you feel better, so be sure to tell your doctor if you're having any symptoms.
To read more about the symptoms of MS, click on the links below.[1]
- Tiredness and weakness
- Numbness and odd sensations
- Problems moving parts of your body
- Dim or blurred vision
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Muscle spasms
- Bladder problems
- Sexual problems
- Bowel problems
- Emotional upset
- Feelings of confusion
- You might get only some of these symptoms or you might get most of them.
- Usually you'll have just a few at a time.
- You might have certain symptoms at one time and others at a different time.
- Your symptoms can be mild or severe. They might be so mild that you don't notice them, especially at first.
- Your symptoms can last just a day or two, or for weeks on end.
- If you have relapsing-remitting MS, your symptoms will come and go.
- If you have progressive MS, you may have more symptoms and they may get better, but they probably won't go away completely.
This is known as clinically isolated syndrome (or CIS for short).
Your optic nerve might become inflamed (optic neuritis) for a short time. Or you may get inflammation of your spinal cord (transverse myelitis) or a brainstem lesion. Between 3 in 10 and 7 in 10 people who have a single episode of nerve inflammation may go on to have multiple sclerosis.
You don't have to just put up with your symptoms. A lot can be done to help you feel better, so be sure to tell your doctor if you're having any symptoms.
Citations
- 1. Hauser SL, Goodkin DE. Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. In: Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al (editors). Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 15th edition. McGraw Hill, New York, USA; 2001.
- 2. Miller D, Barkhof F, Montalban X, et al. Clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis, part I: natural history, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis. Lancet Neurology. 2005; 4: 281-288.
Last Updated: April 16, 2010
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
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