What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the coating that protects your nerves (myelin) is damaged, and this causes a range of symptoms. Source( https://www.mssociety.org.uk )

In MS, your immune system mistakes the myelin for a foreign body and attacks it causing problems with the message signals carried along the nerve fibres. This can slow, distort or completely shut off the messages received by your body parts.

In MS an abnormal immune system response produces inflammation in the central nervous system. This can cause damage to, or destroys, the myelin. Causes damage to the underlying nerve fiber. Produces damaged areas with lesions or scars and slows or halts nerve conduction producing the neurological signs and symptoms of MS.

Women are 3 times more likely to get MS than men. Although it doesn’t affect your fertility, it can have implications for you in terms of periods, menopause, having children and your sex drive. But just remember that there are always ways around this so speak with your doctor.

It is important to note that teens as young as 16 may show signs of MS. It is thought that between 5-10% of people will develop symptoms by the age of 16. So do check out the MS society guide on Kids and MS.

What are the symptoms of MS?

Most common symptoms

1. Fatigue about 80% of people with MS will experience this as a symptom. Not all fatigue is MS related and other symptoms will have to be present (see below) for diagnoses. Fatigue will cause significant problems in relation to work and home life reducing the activities a person can do.
2. Numbness or Tingling often the first symptom and felt in the face, body, arms or legs. These can lead to difficulties with walking but this can be helped by physiotherapy and medications.
3. Weakness results from deconditioning of unused muscles or damage to nerves. This can be managed with rehabilitation strategies and the use of mobility aids/assistive devices.
4. Spasticity and Stiffness can occur in any limb but usually the legs.
5. Problems with Vision. Another first symptom of MS for many people and should be evaluated promptly.
6. Dizziness and Vertigo.
7. Bladder and Bowel Problems. About 80% of people with MS can develop this. But it can be managed with medications, fluid management and intermittent self-catheterization.
8. Sexual Problems is a very common. As sexual responses can be affected by damage in the central nervous system. Plus add in fatigue, spastically and psychological factors.
9. Pain. About 55% of people, with MS, are thought to have clinically significant pain at some time, and almost half had chronic pain.
10. Cognitive Changes. This impacts the ability to process incoming information, learn and remember new information, organize and problem-solve, focus attention and accurately perceive the environment in more than 50% of people with MS.
11. Emotional Changes occur, naturally, as it can be very stressful living with MS. Significant depression, mood swings, irritability, and episodes of uncontrollable laughing and crying pose significant challenges for people with MS and their families.

Less Common Symptoms.

1. Speech Problems
2. Swallowing Problems
3. Tremors
4. Seizures
5. Breathing Problems
6. Itching
7. Headache
8. Hearing Loss

Diagnosis And Causes Of MS.

There are no symptoms, physical findings or laboratory tests that can determine if a person has MS. No one knows for sure why people get MS. It’s likely to be due to a mix of genes, something in your environment and some lifestyle factors.

Several strategies are used to determine if a person meets the long-established criteria for a diagnosis of MS, and to rule out other possible causes of whatever symptoms the person is experiencing.

In order to make a diagnosis of MS, the physician must:

1. Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS). Which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. AND
2. Find evidence that the damage occurred at different points in time. AND
3. Rule out all other possible diagnoses.

Treatment Of MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not a curable disease. But effective strategies can:

1. Help modify or slow the disease’s course.
2. Treat relapses.
3. Manage symptoms. improve function and safety.
4. Address emotional health.

Medication and physiotherapy can be used to maintain overall fitness and energy levels while addressing the symptoms also. Plus assistive aids may be used. Addressing the mental health of the individual is just as important as treating any physical symptoms.

Helping Yourself While Living With MS.

As I’ve stated before you are in charge of your own body and mind. So make sure you are the head of your medical team.

Talk to a national organisation such as MS Society (UK), Ireland. They will help you:

1. Understand more about MS
2. What your rights and entitlements are
3. Plus keep you up to date with the latest treatments and medications.

Please read my blog on chronic illness for more information on this.

Join A Local Support Group.

If they have a support group locally or if there is a support group for disabilities or other chronic illnesses locally or online join them. Talking with others that know how you feel will aid your both physically and mentally.

Make sure you have all your benefits and entitlements.

Information regarding this can be found here. As I’ve said above your work will be affected by MS so you may find yourself suffering financially. Seek help from the national organisation and if you have a mortgage or creditors ask MABS (Ireland) to help. You need to focus on you and not people ringing you for money at this time. MABS will take that pressure off you.

You need to have a specialist team.

On your team you will need your GP plus other specialists such as physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist if needed. Plus a psychologist to help you grieve and talk through other issues.

You need to make sure you keep regular check-ups for other medical and dental issues too. There is no need to exacerbate your condition by neglecting your health.

Mind your mental health.

As I’ve said above MS brings issues around your emotional/mental health too. It is not unusual, like other chronic illness, for you to need to take some time to grief in a healthy manner.

If your grief goes on too long though you can become depressed. Again not unusual and you will need to speak to your GP and psychologist here. Some questions to ask yourself to see if it is depression:

1. During the past two weeks, have you often felt down, depressed or hopeless?
2. During the past two weeks, have you had little interest or no pleasure in doing things?

If you answered “yes” to either or both of these questions, you may be experiencing depression.

Other mood changes that you may experience at this time can be:

1. Worry
2. Fear
3. Moodiness
4. Irritability
5. Anger
6. Anxiety.

Anxiety will, of course, go up as the disease is so unpredictable in nature and you will worry about your next relapse. Again, this is a normal reaction in the face of unpredictability and when faced with difficult challenges. But if they go on too long you need help so reach out and ask for help. This will help empower you to take charge again also.

Anger and irritability may become an issue and family members may complain about your sudden moodiness in this area. You can help yourself by speaking to your psychologist.

But also by using appropriate anger management techniques to help yourself. Of course, you will be angry, your illness is unpredictable but you need to help yourself here too. So if you find yourself angry all the time then it’s time to tackle it with a professional. Remember if you have depression it can be masked or exhibited by using anger.

Manage your stress levels.

Stress which we can all have at this time is going to ratchet up for you. You need to reduce your stress as it will impact on your physical and mental health if you don’t.

It impacts and weakens the immune system and increases your risk of other diseases. These can include: heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, plus mental health illness. I list a number of ways to tackle this here.

Make time for yourself and your basic self-care.

Make sure to have a good self-care routine in place. Making good habits a priority and set healthy boundaries for yourself and in your relationships. Take time now to find out what you want in life plus review your priorities and where you want to spend your time.

Sleep Issues.

Tackle your sleep issues as you can cope with a lot when you’ve had a good night’s sleep. I’ve listed out 11 ways you can do this in my blog on sleep. I also offer a free course in my free goup which you can join here. 

Never ignore your physical health.

Never ignore pain, always go see your GP immediately. This is very important for you as your nerve fibres are damaged. Don’t ignore any other symptoms either. No you are not taking up the doctor’s time or being a nuance. Your are the best person to judge how you are feeling right now so act on that and trust your gut instinct.

Be prepared for things to change.

Many things in your life will change so be prepared and aware of what might happen. Be aware that you can receive help with many of the symptoms that occur.  So make sure you keep yourself informed.

For example: MS may cause inappropriate behaviour in a very small proportion of people with MS. They may exhibit inappropriate behaviours such as sexual inhibitions or very poor judgement.

This type of behaviour is as a result of damage to the normal inhibitory functions of the brain and is generally beyond the control of the individual. This may require some form of medication, perhaps along with psychotherapy and in some cases, the individual may require supervision.

Complementary and alternative medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine may be very helpful also. It can include a wide variety of interventions. These can include:

1. Diets (see a nutritionist)
2. Supplements (Vitamin D is recommended but see advice here please)
3. Meditation
4. Cutting back on alcohol and cutting out cigarettes
5. Exercise (see physio for best advice for your needs)  
6. Acupuncture and reflexology.

To name but a few, try out different ones to see which help you most.

Don’t forget to ask in your support group what others are trying and for recommendations for different alternative therapists as you need one that understands your condition.

Family members will probably need supportive counselling too. It can be very hard mentally and physically to support someone else. So please encourage them to seek appropriate help.

Work With Me

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. In fact I would strongly advise you to reach out for counseling if you, or a loved one, need it.

If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.