I'm terrified and losing sleep thinking that I have it. I want to hear what were the first symptoms of other people who have MS. thanks!!

My very first symptom actually happened when I was 16, 13 years before I was diagnosed with MS.
I had always had trouble with migraines but when I was 16, I had a migraine where I lost the vision in my right eye for three days and it hurt to move my eyes (like physically move them from side to side or up and down). this lasted for about three to five days and then went away so I didn't think anything of it. it turns out that what I had was Optic Neuritis, which is very common as the first symptom in some MS people.
And the three years before my diagnosis, I started with loss of balance where I could trip over anything, forgetfulness, and fatigue.
You can also go to the National MS Society's website. I found it extremely helpful when I was going through the diagnosis process.
Good Luck!

Every case is different. in hindsight, I had attacks 11 years ago (but blamed it on other things (I'm always tired; my scoliosis must be pinching a nerve and making my leg spasm; I must have strained a muscle and that's why it's weak feeling today, etc.), the symptoms always disappeared. By the time I was diagnosed last year and I had 30+ lesions. my symptoms are minimal. we discovered it accidentally when I was having an MRI for something else (couldn't get a precise glasses prescription).

Of my MS, the following things are persisting issues…
–Visual changes: can't get a precise glasses prescription so everything is just a bit off. at 20:30 most people wouldn't notice.
–Speech impediment: problem articulating words. probably the thing I can trace back the farthest. this is the thing I hate the most. I worry I don't sound smart, particularly hard on me if I am teaching at work or speaking to someone professionally who doesn't know MS is the problem and I can't think of the right words.
–Going right along with the speech problems, is decreased concentration. probably the thing my husband gets the least.
–Fatigue, which is very sensitive to hormonal changes.

Transient problems, that I have rarely…
–Muscle spasms, fatigue, numbness, and prickling pain in my legs.
–Had paralysis on the left side one time, which resolved quickly with high dose steroids.
–Dizziness and being off balance, have fallen on the steps a few times. I've been clumsy for a long time, makes me wonder was it clumsiness all along or MS.

Here's a easy to understand article medicinenet.com/multiple_scle…

The National MS Society has a wealth of information. Health caree professionals often refer patients/family/friends to it. nationalmssociety.org/index.a…

I also like the "MS for Dummies" book. For me MS was the devil I knew since my mom and aunt have it. but the book was a good reference for my husband. plus there were tips I hadn't heard of or thought about.

The best advice I have is to have great communication with your GP or neurologist!

General MS info: There are many symptoms of MS, but visual changes (blurred vision, color distortion, or sudden blindness in one eye) are often the first ones people notice.

Other common symptoms:
Fatigue, Numbness, Gait/Balance/Coordination Problems, Bladder Dysfunction (infections, retention, spasms), Constipation, Dizziness/Vertigo, Sexual Dysfunction (erectile dysfunction for men, decreased lubrication and sensitivity for women), Pain, Cognitive Function (decreased concentration, attention deficit, memory loss), Emotional changes, Depression, Spasticity

Less common:
Speech problems articulating, Swallowing Problems, Headache, Hearing Loss, Seizures/Tremor, Breathing Problems, Itching

Because the symptoms have a broad range and are often subtle, MS may not be diagnosed for months or years after the onset of symptoms. A good neurologist will run tests to look for MS as well as to rule out other possible causes before making a diagnosis of MS.

Some diagnostic tests used are:
*Blood work – look for Vit B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers
*MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium – identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.
*Evoked potentials – hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.
*Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) – cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.

For a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and a physical indicator (i.e. change in the central nervous system) must occur. You have a history of symptoms, now you need to have the diagnostic tests. be assertive with your GP if you need to.

My sister has MS and what sent her to the hospital was being pretty much numb from the waist down with the pins and needles feelings mostly in her right leg. but from what she tells me, in retrospect, she'd had symptoms for years that she attributed to getting older and being a gymnast in her younger years.

Every case of MS is different. my first symptom was muscle cramps in my legs. then I noticed that when I was walking alongside somebody, I would inevitably walk into them. the third symptom was a feeling of exhaustion that would not go away no matter how much I slept.

My son has MS
his 1st signs were being off balance and his one eye he kept say ing he had a spot in his vision

After 2 MRI scans and optic neuritis a couple times they diagnosed me with MS . I don't have a lot of MS symptoms other then vision problems a couple times . I do have a lot of Parkinson's symptoms though , I shake real bad and kinda have a stutter while speaking . I do realize MS can cause tremors and shaking but I seem to be much worse then average . Or was I possibly misdiagnosed . I am a 31 year old male .

Thanks for your answers

Multiple sclerosis affects the CNS.

The central nervous system is the one that controls most, if not all, of the body’s activity and optimal functioning. Just a minor damage to the central nervous system or the CNS can produce a very wide range of symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is only one of the diseases that can result from the damaging of the central nervous system.

Most of the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis are very unique. But having one of the symptoms does not immediately lead to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, there has to be a collective onset of symptoms. still, however, each and every one of these symptoms could be very life-threatening and deserves medical attention as soon as possible.

Optic neuritis is one of the multiple sclerosis symptoms that affect the person’s vision. it consists of an inflammation with an accompanying demyelization of cranial nerve number two which is the optic nerve. There is a blurring of the vision, loss of some, if not all, of the visible color, loss of visual acuity, complete or partial blindness, and its pathognomonic sign which is pain behind the eyes.

Another visual symptom is diplopia, which is only a medical term for double vision. Lesions that occur within the brainstem cause this double vision. it is unfortunate for those with multiple sclerosis that the brainstem is affected because it is where the cranial nerves for eye muscles are located, specifically the sixth cranial nerve or the abducens. In multiple sclerosis, the nerve that operates the lateral rectus muscle is affected, thus, pulling the eye outwards.

Nystagmus is yet another visual symptom associated with multiple sclerosis. it is the rapid and involuntary movement of the eyes. this symptom is predominantly obvious to others but is not immediately noticeable by the person with the complaint. it is like riding on a bus where the scenery just zooms past by.

Multiple sclerosis causes paresis within the individual. it is simply a medical term for partial or mild paralysis that is usually described as muscle weakness. according to research and studies, this muscle weakness is caused by the lesions that are formed along the motor nerve pathways.

Spasticity is comprised of involuntary muscle contractions that are not coordinated with the movement of the other muscles. In multiple sclerosis, the normal pattern of reverse contractions that occur between muscles is disrupted, which further leads to the contraction of many muscles at the exact same time. Since the transmission of sensation and control messages are not properly sent to the receiver, the muscles receive information and sensory feedback that is not at all appropriate.

Dysarthria is the medical term for speech problems. In multiple sclerosis, the muscles that are involved in controlling speaking or the nerves that control the corresponding muscles are destroyed. the resulting muscle weakness and incoordination give rise to dysarthria.

Paresthesia is described as a collection of abnormal sensations in just about every part of the body. it is composed of prickling, tingling, electrical-type buzzing, skin crawling, burning, or itching of any random part of the body. Paresthesia is most commonly referred to as pins and needles with the accompaniment of partial numbness and a variety of neuropathic pain.

Another sensory symptom associated with multiple sclerosis is the L’Hermitte’s sign. this is basically the electrical buzzing sensations that occur in the limbs and the body that is brought about by any movement of the neck. When the person with multiple sclerosis lowers the head part in a way that the chin touches the chest, L’Hermitte’s sign is triggered.

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