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.
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
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
922
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(922)
Fatigue
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
595
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(595)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
375
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(375)
Depressed mood
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
324
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(324)
Fatigue
(2)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
313
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(222)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(185)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
234
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(234)
Depressed mood
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
191
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(191)
Fatigue
(2)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
180
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(180)
Fatigue
(3)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
176
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(172)
Balance problems
(3)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
113
Tried for
Pain
(90)
multiple sclerosis
(20)
4 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
Total evaluations
Tried for
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (792 evaluations)
Total evaluations
791
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(922)
Fatigue
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (453 evaluations)
Total evaluations
454
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(595)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (263 evaluations)
Total evaluations
267
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(375)
Depressed mood
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (244 evaluations)
Total evaluations
246
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(324)
Fatigue
(2)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (143 evaluations)
Total evaluations
231
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(222)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(185)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (198 evaluations)
Total evaluations
206
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(234)
Depressed mood
(1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (129 evaluations)
Total evaluations
129
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(191)
Fatigue
(2)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (142 evaluations)
Total evaluations
143
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(180)
Fatigue
(3)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (125 evaluations)
Total evaluations
146
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(172)
Balance problems
(3)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (62 evaluations)
Total evaluations
92
Tried for
Pain
(90)
multiple sclerosis
(20)
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.
Last updated:
You’ve tried this treatment.
Who has multiple sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?
- 55,379 patients have this condition
- 202 new patients joined this month
- 54,484 say MS is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 42 | |
| 20s | 1,461 | |
| 30s | 7,419 | |
| 40s | 14,351 | |
| 50s | 14,388 | |
| 60s | 7,546 | |
| 70+ | 1,310 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 2,761 | |
| 20-29 years | 8,994 | |
| 30-39 years | 9,429 | |
| 40-49 years | 5,682 | |
| 50-59 years | 1,404 | |
| 60-69 years | 127 | |
| 70+ years | 15 |
Sex
Distribution of sex
| 82% | Female |
|---|---|
| 18% | Male |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Progressive | 3,309 | |
| Relapsing-Remitting | 31,446 | |
| Secondary Progressive | 4,884 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 31,475 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 1,343 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: