Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The result of the attack is a loss of myelin which covers the nerves and helps them send messages rapidly and correctly. Because the attacks can occur anywhere in the CNS, the symptoms can be very different – motor, sensory, balance, vision, cognitive difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and even troubles with your bowel and bladder. As a result, in the earliest stages of MS, it may be difficult to even know that what you have is a neurologic problem. There is no simple blood test to make the diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, a neurologic exam head imaging, and often a spinal tap.
While MS occurs more commonly in women, men can develop it as well. The three most common symptoms people notice early on are :1. vision problems. 2. muscle weakness 3. sensation abnormality. MS-related vision problems are most often commonly caused by optic neuritis (ON) In fact, 25% of MS patients report that optic neuritis was their first symptoms. ON is an inflammation of the nerve behind the eye and can present as decreased vision in one eye, pain on eye movement, double vision, and loss of color vision lasting more than 24 hours and often for several weeks. Muscle weakness can involve any limb or limbs. It may be as subtle as being unable to grip onto a doorknob or tripping more often or can be as severe as being unable to move both legs well enough to walk. You may initially attribute it to playing too much tennis or lifting that box in the attic, but if it lasts more than a couple of days, it may be a presenting sign of MS. Sensory abnormalities can be an absence of sensation-numbness or can be an extra sensation like tingling or burning pain. Both occur in any area of the body and last more than a day or two.
When you do sense that something is wrong, entertaining the notion that you have MS can be frightening. The symptoms you experience are often not apparent to others, which can be isolating. That may even keep you from seeking help. DON’T WAIT to get assessed. Listen to your body-patients are very astute in knowing something is not right, even if they don’t know what it is. It is a well-known fact that early detection and earlier initiation of treatment can change the trajectory of MS.
The BeCare Link Apps (BeCare MS and BeCare Neuro) can help you assess your neurologic function at home on your smartphone and help you decide if you need to talk to your Primary Care Physician or Neurologist about your symptoms. As important, if you are diagnosed with MS, BeCareLink has a community of other people confronting the same symptoms as you who can share your concerns, fears, and hopes and help share some tips to make your MS journey that much easier.