Author: LJWatts

A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be extremely difficult to come to grips with. All of a sudden there is a lot of new information to absorb, questions to ask and key decisions to make.

There are many misunderstandings about multiple sclerosis in the general community and online. With the current treatments available, multiple sclerosis does not necessarily lead to significant disability.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. It interferes with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

Early signs of multiple sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis can experience a wide range of symptoms and can be affected differently at various stages in their life. Signs and symptoms of MS can range from fatigue to cognitive fog or changes in emotion so it’s always better to be aware of them early on. While there is no cure, there are treatments and support available which can help to reduce its impact and symptoms.

Noticing the first signs and symptoms of MS can cause immense anxiety. However, our organisation is here to help you and your loved ones get through it with support and information. You’ll learn ways to manage the symptoms and be part of a community committed to making things easier one day at a time. 

After noticing the early signs and symptoms of MS 

Receiving news that you have multiple sclerosis can be very unsettling – especially in the early days – for you and your family. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information you need to take in. You and your family are likely to have some questions about the disease, how it may affect your lifestyle, how it can be treated and where to find the information and support you need right now.

ANSWER

Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis include: (But PLEASE check with your doctor or neurologist)!

• Blurred or double vision
• Thinking problems
• Clumsiness or a lack of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in an arm or leg

When you scrape your elbow, it leaves an area of inflamed skin, or a lesion. But what are lesions in the brain? And what causes them? How serious are brain lesions and how are they treated?

Multiple Sclerosis Brain Lesions

Multiple sclerosis (MS): With this condition, the immune system attacks and damages the nerve linings (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord. These lesions make it difficult for messages to be sent and received properly between the brain and the rest of the body.

What Are Brain Lesions?

A lesion is an area of tissue that has been damaged through injury or disease. So a brain lesion is an area of injury or disease within the brain. While the definition sounds simple, understanding brain lesions can be complicated. That’s because there are many types of brain lesions. They can range from small to large, from few to many, from relatively harmless to life threatening.

What Causes Brain Lesions?

Brain lesions can be caused by injury, infection, exposure to certain chemicals, problems with the immune system, and more. Typically, their cause is unknown.

When you’re managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s natural that you might find there are times you feel down. If you notice you’re getting depressed, let your doctor know. He’ll help you get the support and treatment you need to get back on track.

The Link Between MS and Depression

Anyone dealing with too much stress or a tough situation might have depression. So it’s easy to understand how the long-term physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis can bring on changes in your mood.

But MS itself might also cause depression. The disease may destroy the protective coating around nerves that helps the brain send signals that affect mood.

Depression is also a side effect of some the drugs that treat multiple sclerosis, such as steroids and interferon.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

When you have depression, you may get sad or irritable, lose energy, and stop enjoying things that you used to love. You might also feel hopeless or worthless.

Some other symptoms you may have are:

• Trouble concentrating
• Uncontrollable crying
• Hard time making decisions
• Urge to sleep a lot
• Trouble falling or staying asleep at night
• Aches and pains you can’t explain
• Upset stomach and digestive problems
• Low sex drive or other sexual problems
• Headaches and Migraines
• Change in appetite that causes weight loss or gain

Some people who are depressed may have thoughts of death or suicide, or even attempt suicide.

By Emily Rice • Medical Reporter – Nov 30, 2019

Most people know “someone” with multiple sclerosis, with around 10 Australians diagnosed with the autoimmune disease each week. While MS conjures up images of wheelchair bound “sufferers” the reality is that many of those living with the disease look and mostly lead normal lives. Such as 59-year-old Anthony Kennett.

The Melbourne administration worker was diagnosed with MS about a decade ago.”I lost vision in my left eye which was really scary,” Anthony told 9new.com.au”I was actually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 12 months after that. It took a while for the implications of MS to sink in.”Around 80 per cent of patients in the early stages of the condition have what are known as “attacks” or symptom flare ups.They may experience severe pins and needles, vision problems, fatigue and so on – but then recover.”It is random and it is very individual,” said Anthony.However, in the latter stages of the disease these symptoms can become more consistent and disabling.Neurologist Anneke Van Der Walt says this stage – known as Secondary Progressive MS – is far more debilitating.”For instance their leg could be numb and it could persistently be numb or get worse over that period of time,” says A/Prof. Van Der Walt.Now there is promising treatment option available for Australians with this progressive form of the disease.

The new drug Mayzent (Siponimod) has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.”So this is a real breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis,”More than 1,600 patients with secondary progressive MS recently participated in an international trial of Mayzent.Those who took the tablet showed a 21% per cent reduction in disease progression.”It’s very important to slow down disease progression in multiple sclerosis because ultimately that leads to disability,” explained A/Prof. Van Der Walt.While Anthony does not need the drug at this stage in his life, he is pleased to know there is a powerful therapy available in future if necessary.”When I started there really wasn’t effective treatments specifically targeted at the next stage.And now those treatments are coming out and that’s just fantastic.””I consider myself to be very lucky …I’m still up and about.”For more information on the new drug MS patients should speak directly with their neurologist.

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