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, insomnia, fatigue, and pain) 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
550
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(550)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
351
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(351)
Depressed mood
(1)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
277
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(189)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(173)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
161
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(161)
Fatigue
(2)
1 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
158
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(154)
Balance problems
(3)
3 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 (802 evaluations)
Total evaluations
801
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(927)
Fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (440 evaluations)
Total evaluations
441
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(550)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (256 evaluations)
Total evaluations
261
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(351)
Depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (222 evaluations)
Total evaluations
224
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(298)
Fatigue
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (138 evaluations)
Total evaluations
223
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(189)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(173)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (208 evaluations)
Total evaluations
216
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(239)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (119 evaluations)
Total evaluations
119
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(161)
Fatigue
(2)
1 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (135 evaluations)
Total evaluations
136
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(160)
Fatigue
(3)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (112 evaluations)
Total evaluations
133
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(154)
Balance problems
(3)
3 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (56 evaluations)
Total evaluations
85
Tried for
Pain
(77)
multiple sclerosis
(16)
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?
- 55,988 patients have this condition
- 458 new patients joined this month
- 55,063 say MS is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 39 | |
| 20s | 1,441 | |
| 30s | 7,379 | |
| 40s | 14,426 | |
| 50s | 14,588 | |
| 60s | 7,757 | |
| 70+ | 1,373 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 2,774 | |
| 20-29 years | 9,058 | |
| 30-39 years | 9,505 | |
| 40-49 years | 5,723 | |
| 50-59 years | 1,412 | |
| 60-69 years | 130 | |
| 70+ years | 15 |
Sex
Distribution of sex
| 82% | Female |
|---|---|
| 18% | Male |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Primary progressive | 3,352 | |
| Relapsing-remitting | 31,733 | |
| Secondary progressive | 4,924 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 31,688 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 1,348 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
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