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
547
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(547)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
344
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(344)
Depressed mood
(1)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
274
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(183)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(176)
2 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
152
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(148)
Balance problems
(3)
3 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
151
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(151)
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 (819 evaluations)
Total evaluations
818
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(943)
Fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (443 evaluations)
Total evaluations
444
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(547)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(5)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (253 evaluations)
Total evaluations
258
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(344)
Depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (221 evaluations)
Total evaluations
223
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(298)
Fatigue
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (139 evaluations)
Total evaluations
225
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(183)
Stiffness/Spasticity
(176)
2 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (214 evaluations)
Total evaluations
222
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(246)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (113 evaluations)
Total evaluations
134
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(148)
Balance problems
(3)
3 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (110 evaluations)
Total evaluations
110
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(151)
Fatigue
(2)
1 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (130 evaluations)
Total evaluations
131
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(149)
Fatigue
(3)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (56 evaluations)
Total evaluations
85
Tried for
Pain
(75)
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?
- 57,023 patients have this condition
- 881 new patients joined this month
- 56,078 say MS is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 43 | |
| 20s | 1,453 | |
| 30s | 7,421 | |
| 40s | 14,668 | |
| 50s | 14,991 | |
| 60s | 8,030 | |
| 70+ | 1,446 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 2,814 | |
| 20-29 years | 9,193 | |
| 30-39 years | 9,631 | |
| 40-49 years | 5,845 | |
| 50-59 years | 1,464 | |
| 60-69 years | 138 | |
| 70+ years | 17 |
Sex
Distribution of sex
| 82% | Female |
|---|---|
| 18% | Male |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Primary progressive | 3,430 | |
| Relapsing-remitting | 32,237 | |
| Secondary progressive | 4,979 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 32,072 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 1,365 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
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