What is neuromyelitis optica?

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder in which a person's own immune system attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord. This produces an inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) and the spinal cord (myelitis).

How do members experience neuromyelitis optica?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with neuromyelitis optica*

*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.

Top treatments taken by people for neuromyelitis optica*

*Data from patients with neuromyelitis optica, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with neuromyelitis optica*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Rituxan)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
neuromyelitis optica (1)

*Data from patients with neuromyelitis optica, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has neuromyelitis optica on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 5
20s 26
30s 72
40s 147
50s 187
60s 126
70+ 76

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 129
Female 514