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.
Last updated:
Treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
320
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(320)
stiffness/spasticity
(3)
1 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
121
Tried for
stiffness/spasticity
(85)
multiple sclerosis
(77)
Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
Compare treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (296 evaluations)
Total evaluations
296
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(320)
stiffness/spasticity
(3)
1 more
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (256 evaluations)
Total evaluations
257
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(319)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (153 evaluations)
Total evaluations
161
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(203)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (99 evaluations)
Total evaluations
101
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(142)
fatigue
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (103 evaluations)
Total evaluations
107
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(135)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (79 evaluations)
Total evaluations
80
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(134)
Perceived effectiveness
for stiffness/spasticity (77 evaluations)
Total evaluations
104
Tried for
stiffness/spasticity
(85)
multiple sclerosis
(77)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (53 evaluations)
Total evaluations
53
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(61)
fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (67 evaluations)
Total evaluations
67
Tried for
multiple sclerosis
(60)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (26 evaluations)
Total evaluations
43
Tried for
pain
(35)
multiple sclerosis
(9)
5 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:
Who has multiple sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?
- 68613 patients have this condition
- 542 new patients joined this month
- 67077 say MS is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 38 | |
| 20s | 1190 | |
| 30s | 7165 | |
| 40s | 16206 | |
| 50s | 18969 | |
| 60s | 11733 | |
| 70+ | 2824 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 2897 | |
| 20-29 years | 9453 | |
| 30-39 years | 9938 | |
| 40-49 years | 6069 | |
| 50-59 years | 1548 | |
| 60-69 years | 152 | |
| 70+ years | 18 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 10589 | |
| Female | 48143 |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Primary progressive multiple sclerosis | 4412 | |
| Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis | 38352 | |
| Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis | 5771 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 33683 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 1353 |
These charts show data from MS patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: