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Signs & Symptoms of Primary Progressive MS

Approximately 400,000 Americans suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological condition caused by the destruction of the insulation around nerves. Primary progressive MS is one of four categorized types of the disease.

  1. Significance

    • Primary progressive MS affects roughly 10 to 15 percent of patients, according to All About MS. This type of MS is characterized by classic MS symptoms that worsen and continue over time.

    Time Frame

    • Signs and symptoms of primary progressive MS usually develop when you are in your 30s or 40s, unlike other types of multiple sclerosis that begin at a younger age, reports All About MS.

    Types of Symptoms

    • One of the most common symptoms of MS is heaviness or numbness of the limbs on one side of your body or in both legs at once. Other symptoms include loss of vision that usually affects one eye at a time, double or blurred vision, randomized tingling or pain throughout your body, an electric feeling when you turn your head, shaking, lack of coordination, unsteadiness when walking, fatigue and dizziness.

    Signs of Primary Progressive MS

    • Often, MRIs reveal lesions on the spine in patients who have primary progressive MS, but it is possible to have the condition without showing any signs of lesions. Other signs of the disease include the presence of certain proteins in spinal fluid obtained from a spinal tap and an evoked potential test that reveals a slowing in nerve conduction, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

    Complications

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of primary progressive MS may worsen over time and complications may develop as a result, such as severe depression, epilepsy, forgetfulness, sexual dysfunction, loss of bladder control, muscle spasms and paralysis.

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