Are You Aware? MS (Multiple Sclerosis) FAQ

What is MS (Multiple Sclerosis)?

MS is considered to be a disease of the immune system, where the body begins attacking the sheathing around the nerves (called myelin). This creates scar tissue (called lesions) in the brain or along the spinal column.

What causes MS?

Both the cause of MS and a cure are unknown at this time. There are several factors which lead science to believe it is a combination of genetics and environment, but more research is needed to both find the cause and to develop a cure.

Who gets MS?

Currently there are approximately 1.5 million people worldwide, over 400,000 in the US alone, with MS. Though MS can strike any gender and any age group, it is most often found in women and diagnosed between the ages of 20-50.

Is MS contagious?

Absolutely not. You can't "catch" MS from being around someone who has it.

What are some of the symptoms of MS?

One of the many characteristics of MS is that it is completely unpredictable. Because MS attacks the nervous system, it can affect anything in the body that the nervous system affects. Each individual is completely different and the symptoms can occur, vanish, reoccur and progress in a different way for each patient.

Some of the common symptoms include:
fatigue, numbness, vertigo (dizziness), tingling in the hands and feet, paralysis, vision problems or blindness, hearing loss, speech and swallowing issues, cognitive problems (thinking, planning, spatial, memory, etc), muscle weakness, libido changes, bladder and bowel problems, mobility problems, spasticity (stiffness or muscle spasms), depression, and trembling.

There are four courses to the disease which includes:

Relapsing-Remitting MS - (RRMS) - Occurs in approximately 85% of people initially diagnosed. This type of MS involves periods of symptoms increasing or worsening and then periods where things may return to normal.

Primary-Progressive MS-(SPMS) - Occurs in approximately 10% of people initially diagnosed. This type of MS is a rapid progressive of symptoms.

Secondary-Progressive MS -(PPMS) - Prior to the availability of today's medicines, occurred in approximately 50% of people who had relapsing-remitting MS within 10 years. Some individuals are still resistant to these drugs but fortunately the percentage is dropping as drugs improve in targeting MS. The person starts out with the RRMS type and then shows a more rapid progression of symptoms with few to no remissions..

Progressive-Relapsing MS - (PRMS) - Only occurs in approximately 5% of individuals. This type of MS is a progression of symptoms with little to no improvement between relapses.

For further information on these variations, see http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-is-ms/index.aspx

Is MS fatal?

MS is not considered to be a fatal disease. Death with MS is very rare. Because the nervous system is affected, all organs can be subject to the degradation, but death in MS is most often due to complications from the symptoms. This rare occurrence is most often only seen in highly progressive cases.

How is MS diagnosed?

Because the majority of MS patients start with remitting/relapsing MS, patients can often have the disease for years before they are diagnosed. The most frequent symptom to bring on a diagnosis is a sudden visual impairment called Ocular Neuritis. Many ophthalmologists are the ones who send a patient to an MS clinic or neurologist.

The majority of MS patients start with relapse/remitting MS, where symptoms can occur for a few days, weeks or months and then vanish for long periods of time. Because of the time factor between flair ups, the symptoms are often confused with other illnesses, age, over-doing it or the flu. Some patients remain in relapse/remitting MS for their entire lives while others may end up with progressive MS and show a steady degradation of abilities over time. As the lesions increase, more and more nerve functions are blocked.

There is no sure-fire test for MS since they are not certain what causes the disease. However, the lesions formed by MS have a pretty distinctive pattern and can be seen on an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging ). Other than that test, the symptoms are analyzed, other causes ruled out and the patient is observed over time. It is not usually possible to diagnose someone with MS immediately unless there has been a pattern in their history and multiple symptoms along with lesions showing on an MRI.

What are the treatments for MS?

Though new studies are occurring all the time, there is still no cure for MS. The only present hope is to slow the progress of the disease. MS is currently treated with drugs that lower the immune system. Several drugs are given via injections that the patient can give himself once or several times a week. Over time, this reduction in the activity of the immune system is hoped to reduce the number of lesions forming and the number of flair ups called exacerbations. The most common MS drugs fall into a category called the CRAB drugs, which includes Rebif, Avonex, Copaxen, Betaseron, Novantrone and Tysabri.

Where does the money for MS research come from?

Some money comes from the government, some from private donors and some from drug companies researching their products. However, a large amount of money for MS research and aid to those who suffer from the disease, comes from the National MS Society. They run two main fund raisers: the WalkMS and BikeMS. These are held all over the country and volunteers participate to raise funds. For more information, see http://www.nationalmssociety.org

Are there support groups for those with MS?

Yes, there are several. The National MS Society not only has local chapters, but there are also on-line support groups and teleconferences for those who cannot travel. In addition, there is MSWorld and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF). For a great listing, including international groups, see http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/support_link.html .

However, MS is not a disease that only affects the individual stricken with it. It also affects that individual's family and friends. One of the best support groups for an individual with MS is a well educated set of family and friends. If you know someone with MS, the best thing you can do is to find out more about the disease. Education provides someone with the power to live with MS instead of being controlled by MS.

Can you recommend any books on MS?

These are some of the books I've personally read, which have helped me deal with my own MS.

Facing the Cognitive Challenges of MS by Jeffrey N. Gingold, Demos Medical Publishing, LLC

Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis by Loren M. Fishman, MD & Eric L. Small, Demos Medical Publishing, LLC

Multiple Sclerosis: Understanding Cognitive Challenges by Nicolas LaRocca, PhD & Rosalind Kalb, Phd, Demos Medical Publishing, LLC

MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis by Allison Shadday LCSW, Demos Medical Publishing, LLC

Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions You Have-The Answers You Need, 4th Edition by Rosalind C. Kalb, PhD, Demos Medical Publishing, LLC