What is the number one symptom of MS?

Numbness of the face, body, or extremities (arms and legs) is often the first symptom experienced by those eventually diagnosed as having MS.


What is the most common first symptom of MS?

One of the more obvious first signs of MS is a problem with vision, known as optic neuritis. This is often because it's a more concrete symptom as opposed to vaguer neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.

What does MS feel like in the beginning?

Numbness or Tingling

A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.


What are the three most common early signs of MS?

Common early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) include: vision problems. tingling and numbness. pains and spasms.

What part of the body does MS affect first?

Visual problems are often the first symptoms associated with MS. The optic (eye) nerve can become inflamed (optic neuritis) as the optic nerve is a common area where damage to the protective covering of nerves (demyelination) occurs. More than half of people with MS will experience at least one issue with vision.


What are the symptoms of MS?



Does MS show up in blood work?

While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including lupus erythematosis, Sjogren's, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, some infections, and rare hereditary diseases.

How can I test myself for MS?

Some of the most common signs of MS are:
  1. numbness, pain, or tingling.
  2. vision issues such as blurred vision, trouble seeing, or floaters.
  3. weakness.
  4. issues with walking or balance.
  5. bladder or bowel incontinence.
  6. unexplained sexual dysfunction.
  7. mood changes.
  8. brain fog.


How do doctors test for MS?

There are no specific tests for MS . Instead, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms, known as a differential diagnosis. Your doctor is likely to start with a thorough medical history and examination.


What triggers MS?

Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

At what age does MS usually show up?

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually the symptoms get better, but then they come back.

How do you know if you caught MS early?

MS is best detected by a neurological examination and painless imaging studies of the brain and spinal cord using magnetic resonance testing (MRI). An ophthalmologist also can use a test called an optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine if the optic nerve has been affected by MS.


Does MS come on suddenly or gradually?

Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for about eight weeks from onset to recovery. Resolution is often complete.

Who is most likely to get MS?

On average, with relapsing forms of MS, women are three times more likely than men to develop this disorder.

How does a person act with MS?

The most common symptoms of MS include fatigue, numbness and tingling, blurred vision, double vision, weakness, poor coordination, imbalance, pain, depression and problems with memory and concentration. Less commonly MS may cause tremor, paralysis and blindness.


Can MS come from stress?

Although the person with MS knows from their experience that their MS symptoms started after or alongside a stressful period of time, there is no direct evidence that stress causes MS — although it might trigger it.

What are three drugs for multiple sclerosis?

  • Lemtrada® (alemtuzumab)
  • Novantrone® (mitoxantrone)
  • Ocrevus® (ocrelizumab)
  • Tysabri® (natalizumab)


What blood tests are elevated with MS?

They'll also look for signs of MS, such as:
  • elevated levels of antibodies called IgG antibodies.
  • proteins called oligoclonal bands.
  • an unusually high number of white blood cells.


What is the most accurate way to diagnose MS?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It's very accurate and can pinpoint the exact location and size of any inflammation, damage or scarring (lesions). MRI scans confirm a diagnosis in over 90 per cent of people with MS.

What does MS pain feel like?

Neuropathic pain happens from “short circuiting” of the nerves that carry signals from the brain to the body because of damage from MS. These pain sensations feel like burning, stabbing, sharp and squeezing sensations. In MS you can experience acute neuropathic pain and chronic neuropathic pain.

Can an eye test detect MS?

Diagnosis and early intervention

As optic neuritis is the presenting sign of MS in up to 30 percent of patients, the eye exam can lead to the initial systemic diagnosis.


What happens if I think I have MS?

Getting medical advice

Let the GP know about the specific pattern of symptoms you're experiencing. If they think you could have MS, you'll be referred to a specialist in conditions of the nervous system (a neurologist), who may suggest tests such as an MRI scan to check for features of MS.

Can an MRI detect MS?

MRI plays a vital role in how we diagnose and monitor MS. In fact, over 90% of people have their MS diagnosis confirmed by MRI.

Can you have a clear MRI and still have MS?

Although MRI is a very useful diagnostic tool, a normal MRI of the brain does not rule out the possibility of MS. About 5 percent of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI.


What are four common diagnostic tests for MS?

The 4 common diagnostic tools used to prove or disprove MS – multiple sclerosis by clinical neurologists are:
  • A comprehensive patient medical history and neurological exam.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of the neuroaxis.
  • Evoked Potentials testing.
  • Analysis of the spinal fluid.


What puts you at risk for MS?

A number of factors, including an individual's genetic makeup, history of infections or other autoimmune diseases, environmental exposures, and demographic traits, have all been linked with an altered risk of developing MS.