Advanced Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms in general vary significantly from one person to another, even in its advanced stages. One person with advanced multiple sclerosis may experience only a few of the symptoms typical of the disease while another may suffer from many of them. The severity of symptoms also varies greatly from person to person. For instance, muscle weakness may be severe enough to impair walking for some patients and cause only slight coordination problems for others.

Features

• A classic characteristic of MS symptoms is their unpredictability. People with MS have good days and bad days. As the disease advances, symptoms have a tendency to come and go and some last longer than others.

Common Symptoms

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most MS patients have muscle weakness in their arms and legs and experience difficulty with balance and coordination. In advanced cases, these symptoms may be severe enough to cause difficulty walking or standing and can even cause partial or complete paralysis. Most MS patients also experience varying degrees of "pins and needles" sensations, numbness, prickling or pain. Other common symptoms, as listed by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, include fatigue, bladder and bowel dysfunction, dizziness and vision problems and sexual dysfunction. Depression is also a common symptom of advanced multiple sclerosis.

Less Common Symptoms

• Symptoms of MS that occur much less frequently include hearing loss, speech impairment, tremors and seizures. Patients may also experience swallowing problems, headaches, respiratory problems and itching.

Primary vs. Secondary Symptoms

• Primary symptoms of MS are the direct result of damage caused by the disease. However, secondary symptoms often appear as a result of the primary symptoms. For example, frequent urinary tract infections may be caused by bladder dysfunction and pressure sores can result from immobility. Inactivity can lead to several symptoms including loss of muscle tone, weakness, poor posture and decreased bone density, which increases the risk of fracture.

Considerations

• Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, treatments and strategies are available that can modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms. Various medications can reduce activity and progression of the disease in many patients. Most symptoms can be managed with a combination of medication, rehabilitation services, self-care techniques and the use of assistive devices.