What is multiple sclerosis?

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.

How do members experience multiple sclerosis?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with multiple sclerosis*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for multiple sclerosis*

*Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Ocrevus)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (46 evaluations)
Side effects
headaches fatigue 13 more
Total evaluations
46
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (94)
Treatment

(Aubagio)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (17 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea hair loss 14 more
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (29)
Treatment

(Tecfidera)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (9 evaluations)
Side effects
facial flushing flushing 1 more
Total evaluations
9
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (26)
Treatment

(Copaxone)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (26 evaluations)
Side effects
injection site pain chronic fatigue 9 more
Total evaluations
26
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (23)
Treatment

(Mavenclad)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (8 evaluations)
Side effects
chronic fatigue indigestion
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (18)

*Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has multiple sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 21
20s 547
30s 4,447
40s 13,184
50s 20,399
60s 16,414
70+ 6,758

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 11,411
Female 50,930