Symptoms

Symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person. They depend on which parts of the central nervous system are affected, and can come in waves (during relapses) or be constant. Some symptoms are noticeable to others (visible), while others are felt only by the person themselves (invisible). No one has “all of them at once.”

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Common symptoms:

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• Fatigue: Disproportionate exhaustion that does not go away after rest and may limit activity.

• Problems with walking, balance, and coordination. Unsteady gait, unsteadiness, dizziness/vertigo.

• Muscle spasms and spasticity, tremor. Convulsions/stiffness, sometimes trembling of the limbs.

• Sensory disturbances. Numbness, tingling, prickling, sometimes pain.

• Pain: Neuropathic and/or musculoskeletal; possible “MS-hug” — tightness in the chest/abdomen.

• Vision problems: Sudden blurring, pain when moving the eye (often with optic neuritis).

• Cognitive and emotional changes. Memory, attention, information processing; anxiety/depression require professional attention.

• Bladder and bowel, sexual function. Frequent urges/urinary retention, constipation/incontinence; sexual difficulties.

• Speech/swallowing. Some people experience slurred speech and choking.
   

Visible vs invisible symptoms

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The visible ones often include mobility problems, speech, and spasticity/tremor. The invisible ones—fatigue, pain, heat sensitivity, dizziness, cognitive and emotional changes—are not visible from the outside, but they are just as real.

What can aggravate symptoms?

Heat, fever, infections, and fatigue can temporarily exacerbate symptoms (e.g., the Uthoff effect from overheating). This does not always mean a new relapse, but requires attention to hydration, rest, and contact with a doctor if in doubt.

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If you have new or significantly increased symptoms, contact your neurologist/physician for evaluation and support.