Multiple system atrophy
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 co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.
What is multiple system atrophy?
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a degenerative neurological disorder. MSA is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body such as bladder control.
Common symptoms reported by people with multiple system atrophy
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Cold sensation in feet
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Cold sensation in hand(s)
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence)
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 system atrophy
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
4
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(4)
stiffness/spasticity
(1)
Treatment name(s)
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(1)
Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
Compare treatments taken by people with multiple system atrophy
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (7 evaluations)
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(10)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
teeth grinding (bruxism)
unresponsiveness
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(4)
stiffness/spasticity
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (1 evaluation)
Side effects
fluid retention weight gain
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(3)
Perceived effectiveness
for fatigue (2 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
fatigue
(1)
slow movement (bradykinesia)
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (1 evaluation)
Side effects
shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
pain
(1)
stiffness/spasticity
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
morning sleepiness
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (2 evaluations)
Side effects
vomiting
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
pain
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
balance problems
(2)
Treatment name(s)
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple system atrophy (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
multiple system atrophy
(1)
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
- Severe
- Moderate
- Mild
- None
Data from patients with multiple system atrophy, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
Who has multiple system atrophy on PatientsLikeMe?
- 1057 patients have this condition
- 4 new patients joined this month
- 932 say MSA is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 0 | |
| 20s | 5 | |
| 30s | 28 | |
| 40s | 41 | |
| 50s | 180 | |
| 60s | 307 | |
| 70+ | 228 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 8 | |
| 20-29 years | 14 | |
| 30-39 years | 32 | |
| 40-49 years | 89 | |
| 50-59 years | 163 | |
| 60-69 years | 77 | |
| 70+ years | 15 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 358 | |
| Female | 415 |
| Condition Types | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple system atrophy (MSA) | 336 | |
| Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA/MSA-c) | 117 | |
| Shy-Drager syndrome (MSA-a) | 70 | |
| Striatonigral degeneration (MSA-p) | 92 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 413 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 62 |
These charts show data from MSA patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: