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 (37 evaluations)
Side effects
none fatigue 3 more
Total evaluations
37
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (73)
Treatment

(Tecfidera)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (8 evaluations)
Side effects
facial flushing flushing
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (24)
Treatment

(Aubagio)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (13 evaluations)
Side effects
bowel urgency diarrhea 9 more
Total evaluations
13
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (20)
Treatment

(Mavenclad)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (11 evaluations)
Side effects
chronic fatigue common cold 1 more
Total evaluations
11
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (19)
Treatment

(Copaxone)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (10 evaluations)
Side effects
chronic fatigue injection site itching 4 more
Total evaluations
10
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 18
20s 503
30s 4,054
40s 12,675
50s 20,268
60s 17,043
70+ 7,451

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 11,453
Female 51,093