QUESTIONS about MS?? Maybe some answers from someone with MS?????? Anyone???!


Question: I read that there were some symptoms of MS that have been been known to be precurser symptoms that signify an increase in disabilty for the future. Can anyone tell me what these symptoms are? I have been unable to locate anything online.


Answers: I read that there were some symptoms of MS that have been been known to be precurser symptoms that signify an increase in disabilty for the future. Can anyone tell me what these symptoms are? I have been unable to locate anything online.

It is impossible to predict accurately the course of MS for any individual, but the first five years give some indication of how the disease will continue for that person. This is based upon the course of the disease over that period and the disease type. (i.e. relapsing-remitting or progressive). The level of disability reached at end points such as five and ten years is thought to be a reliable predictor of the future course of the disease. However, there are many variables in this scenario:

A large percentage of people with MS are not severely affected by their disease and live for 10-15 years or more a normal and productive life, without being limited by the disease.

There is a significant group (30-50%) of patients with relapsing-remitting MS which become progressive after 10 years.

Age at onset and gender may also be indicators of the long-term course of the disease. Some research has indicated that younger age at onset [under 16 years of age] implies a more favourable prognosis, but this must be tempered by the knowledge that for a young adult living with MS for 20 or 30 years may result in substantial disability even if the progress towards disability is slow and in the first 10 or 15 years he or she is relatively mildly affected. Other research has indicated that late onset [i.e. over 55 years of age], particularly in males, may indicate a progressive course of the disease.

The prospect of therapy for MS should be encouraging to those newly diagnosed with MS. Drugs such as interferon beta are possible disease modifying treatments for those who have relapsing-remitting disease and are ambulatory. The interferon betas may slow the progression of disability as well as reduce the severity and frequency of exacerbations. The breadth of research currently targeting MS gives hope that therapy which will interfere with the process of MS (even if not curing the disease) is not an unreasonable expectation in the near future.

It should be remembered that many people with MS go through life with a manageable disability (e.g. fatigue, a limp, bladder problems). On average one can say that after 15 years, 50% of patients are still walking and some 40% are still working. However, about 10% of people with MS will become severely disabled within 5 years (i.e. having to use a wheelchair on a full-time basis). Life expectancy for persons with MS is near normal.

Everyone with MS is affected differently and symptoms can vary from day to day. Most common but not all necessarily present include

1. eye problems, including pain,blurred or double vision
2. fatigue
3. muscle weakness, stiffness and spasms
4. bladder and bowel probles
5. loss of balance, co-ordination and dizziness
6. pain
7. numbness or tingling of skin
8. difficulty speaking or swallowing
9. feeling emotional, anxious or depressed
10.sexual difficulties.

There are 4 types of MS

1. Benign MS

With this type you will have a few relapses - times when symptoms flare up - and then recover. With this type you need to have had very few of no symptoms for about 15 years before this diagnosis can be made. You may have a relapse after many years of not having any and its possible that this type of MS will get worse later on in life

2. Relapsing-remitting MS

About 80% MS begins as this type. This means that you have relapses followed by periods of remission when your symptoms get better. Relapses can come on suddenly, lasting between 2 and 6 weeks although some may take a few months to clear. You may find your symptoms get gradually worse with each one or new symptoms may develop.

3. Secondary progressive MS

About 50% who suffer Relapsing-remitting MS go on to develop this type of MS within 10 years. Symptoms don't get better once the relapse is over and slowly build up. You are likely to become gradually more disabled even though relapses and remissions may occur less frequently.

4. Primary progressive MS

If you have this type, symptoms get steadily more severe without any periods of remission.

I do not therefore think there any symptoms which indicate an increase in disability for the future.

The criteria is the type of MS since some only or all of the symptoms I have mentioned may or may not be present.

MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease which attacks the sheathing around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Since the areas attacked may vary from individual to individual symptoms of this debilitating disease will vary.

I hope that the information supplied will be of some help.

Go to WebMd.com

acupuncture helps with MS

you could be in wheel chair in some cases

my name is
jamespowelson

i am an expert on the subject of incurables





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