Multiple Sclerosis

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By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as member Jackie explains in this video.

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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.

Common symptoms reported by people with Multiple Sclerosis

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tizanidine, Walking Stick/Cane, Baclofen
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Modafinil, Donepezil, Methylphenidate
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amantadine, Handicap/Disability Parking Permit, Modafinil
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Armodafinil, Naps, Modafinil
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Gabapentin, Ibuprofen, Pregabalin
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Oxybutynin, Tolterodine, Solifenacin
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Fluoxetine, Escitalopram, Lamotrigine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Duloxetine, Bupropion, Fluoxetine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Zolpidem, Trazodone, Amitriptyline
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Docusate, Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Fiber supplement
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music, Sertraline, Citalopram
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, insomnia, fatigue, and pain) regardless of condition.
Last updated:

Treatments taken by people with Multiple Sclerosis

You’ve tried
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Tecfidera)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
783
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (783)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Copaxone)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
682
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (682) Stiffness/Spasticity (5)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Gilenya)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
478
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (478) Depressed mood (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Mylan-Baclofen)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
416
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (340) Stiffness/Spasticity (213)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Tysabri)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
386
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (386) Fatigue (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Rebif)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
253
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (253) Fatigue (2)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Ampyra)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
223
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (221) Fatigue (3)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Avonex)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
222
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (222) Fatigue (2)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Aubagio)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
179
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (179) Depressed mood (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Provigil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
148
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (108) Fatigue (83)
3 more
Data from patients with Multiple Sclerosis, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
You’ve tried this treatment.

Compare treatments taken by people with Multiple Sclerosis

You’ve tried
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
How many evaluations
Tried for
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Tecfidera)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (636 evaluations)
Side effects
Flushing Facial flushing 192 more
How many evaluations
634
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (783)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Copaxone)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (451 evaluations)
Side effects
Injection site pain Injection site itching 148 more
How many evaluations
452
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (682) Stiffness/Spasticity (5)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Gilenya)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (324 evaluations)
Side effects
Headaches Elevated liver enzymes 129 more
How many evaluations
330
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (478) Depressed mood (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Mylan-Baclofen)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (157 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Tiredness 62 more
How many evaluations
228
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (340) Stiffness/Spasticity (213)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Tysabri)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (276 evaluations)
Side effects
Fatigue Headaches 93 more
How many evaluations
279
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (386) Fatigue (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Rebif)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (153 evaluations)
Side effects
Flu like symptoms Headaches 93 more
How many evaluations
153
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (253) Fatigue (2)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Ampyra)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (145 evaluations)
Side effects
Insomnia Nausea 44 more
How many evaluations
167
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (221) Fatigue (3)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Avonex)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (162 evaluations)
Side effects
Flu like symptoms Fever/chills 91 more
How many evaluations
162
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (222) Fatigue (2)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Aubagio)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (140 evaluations)
Side effects
Hair loss Diarrhea 53 more
How many evaluations
141
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (179) Depressed mood (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Provigil)
Perceived effectiveness
for Multiple Sclerosis (51 evaluations)
Side effects
Anxious mood Dizziness 33 more
How many evaluations
89
Tried for
Multiple Sclerosis (108) Fatigue (83)
3 more
Data from patients with Multiple Sclerosis, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
You’ve tried this treatment.
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Who has Multiple Sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 42
20s 1,536
30s 7,503
40s 13,748
50s 13,227
60s 6,498
70+ 1,023

Sex

Distribution of sex

82% Female
18% Male
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 2,679
20-29 years 8,744
30-39 years 9,144
40-49 years 5,457
50-59 years 1,333
60-69 years 115
70+ years 17
Types
Condition Types Proportion # of patients
Primary Progressive 3,098
Progressive Relapsing 1,820
Relapsing-Remitting 29,701
Secondary Progressive 4,644
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 30,569
Not Diagnosed 1,304
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: