Multiple sclerosis
We’re all in this for good.
- 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.
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
Numbness and tingling with pins and needles
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
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.
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Treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
496
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(496)
stiffness/spasticity
(4)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
281
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(281)
depressed mood
(1)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
226
Tried for
stiffness/spasticity
(159)
multiple sclerosis
(135)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
126
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(122)
balance problems
(3)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
116
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(116)
fatigue
(2)
1 more
Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (685 evaluations)
Total evaluations
686
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(835)
fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (433 evaluations)
Total evaluations
434
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(496)
stiffness/spasticity
(4)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (205 evaluations)
Total evaluations
209
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(281)
depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (195 evaluations)
Total evaluations
197
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(255)
fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (204 evaluations)
Total evaluations
212
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(254)
Perceived effectiveness
for stiffness/spasticity (175 evaluations)
Total evaluations
217
Tried for
stiffness/spasticity
(159)
multiple sclerosis
(135)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (90 evaluations)
Total evaluations
91
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(128)
fatigue
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (98 evaluations)
Total evaluations
113
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(122)
balance problems
(3)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (98 evaluations)
Total evaluations
98
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(116)
fatigue
(2)
1 more
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (51 evaluations)
Total evaluations
74
Tried for
pain
(68)
multiple sclerosis
(14)
4 more
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
- Severe
- Moderate
- Mild
- None
Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Who has multiple sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?
- 59,835 patients have this condition
- 72 new patients joined this month
- 58,768 say MS is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 46 | |
| 20s | 1,362 | |
| 30s | 7,296 | |
| 40s | 15,116 | |
| 50s | 16,003 | |
| 60s | 9,010 | |
| 70+ | 1,818 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 2,888 | |
| 20-29 years | 9,453 | |
| 30-39 years | 9,919 | |
| 40-49 years | 6,065 | |
| 50-59 years | 1,543 | |
| 60-69 years | 151 | |
| 70+ years | 17 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 9,317 | |
| Female | 41,778 |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Primary progressive | 3,687 | |
| Relapsing-remitting | 33,925 | |
| Secondary progressive | 5,192 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 33,585 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 1,351 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
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