What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. MS symptoms may include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction.
What is it like to have MS?
| Common Symptoms | Patients' Latest Severity | My Current Severity |
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Bladder problems | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Bowel problems | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Brain fog | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Emotional lability | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Mood swings | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Sexual dysfunction | None Mild Moderate Severe | |
| Stiffness/Spasticity | None Mild Moderate Severe |
What do patients take to treat MS and its symptoms?
Commonly prescribed and frequently used treatments
| Treatment name | Efficacy | Overall rating of side effects | # of Evaluations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Glatiramer acetate
(Copaxone)
|
1337 | ||
|
Interferon beta-1a IM Injection
(Avonex Prefilled Syringe, Avonex)
|
772 | ||
| 696 | |||
|
Natalizumab
(Antegren, Tysabri)
|
520 | ||
|
Interferon beta-1b SubQ Injection
(Extavia, Uribeta, Betaferon, Betaseron)
|
400 | ||
|
Methylprednisolone
(Urbason solubile, Methylprednisolon AL, Advantan, Medrol DosePak)
|
159 | ||
|
Naltrexone
(Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), ReVia)
|
155 | ||
| 133 | |||
|
Baclofen
(Kemstro, DOM-Baclofen, Gabalon, Spinax)
|
128 | ||
|
Fingolimod
(Gilenya)
|
92 | ||
|
Prednisone
(Encorton, Deltasone, Pronizon)
|
66 | ||
|
Modafinil
(Modavigil, Modiodal, Alertec, Provigil)
|
61 | ||
|
Vitamin D
(Didrogyl, Rite-Aid Vitamin D, Immunotec Vitamin D, Origin Vitamin D)
|
59 | ||
|
Mitoxantrone
(Novantrone)
|
54 | ||
| 52 |
These charts show data from MS patients' latest treatment evaluations
Who has MS at PatientsLikeMe?
- 27,637 patients have this condition
- 551 New patients joined this month
- 27,248 say MS is their primary condition
| <20 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Age | ||||||
| Gender | |
| 80% | Females |
|---|---|
| 20% | Males |
| Age at first symptom | # of patients | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 yrs | 1665 | |
| 20-29 yrs | 5964 | |
| 30-39 yrs | 6246 | |
| 40-49 yrs | 3696 | |
| 50-59 yrs | 908 | |
| 60-69 yrs | 62 | |
| 70+ yrs | 8 |
| Condition Types | # of patients | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Progressive | 1512 | |
| Progressive Relapsing | 628 | |
| Relapsing-Remitting | 14752 | |
| Secondary Progressive | 2381 |
| Diagnosis status | # of patients | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 20754 | |
| Not Officially Diagnosed | 870 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history