Multiple
Sclerosis

People with MS experience a wide range of symptoms. Due to the nature of the disease, it can vary widely from one person to another. The symptoms can change in severity yearly, month to month, and even day to day.

Two of the most common symptoms are fatigue and difficulty walking, with approximately 80% of people with MS reporting having fatigue. 

Difficulty walking can occur with MS for several reasons:

• numbness of the legs or feet
• difficulty balancing
• muscle weakness
• muscle spasticity

Overwhelming fatigue can also contribute to the problem. Difficulty walking can lead to injuries due to falling.

Other common symptoms of MS include:

• speech disorders
• tremor
• cognitive issues involving concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills
• acute or chronic pain

MS can develop all at once, or the symptoms can be so mild that you easily dismiss them. Any symptom can occur first. The following are three of the most common early signs of MS:

• Strange sensations can occur, such as numbness and tingling of the arms, legs, or one side of your face. It’s similar to that feeling of pins and needles you get when your foot falls asleep, but it happens for no apparent reason.
• Your balance may be slightly off, and your legs may feel weak. You may find yourself tripping while walking or doing some other type of physical activity.
• A bout of double vision, blurry vision, or partial vision loss can be an early indicator of MS. You could also have some eye pain.

It isn’t uncommon for these early symptoms to go away only to return at a later date. You may go weeks, months, or even years between symptom flare-ups. These symptoms can have many different causes. If you have these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have MS.

If you have MS, the myelin in your body becomes damaged. Myelin is the protective layer that covers nerve fibres throughout the central nervous system.

It’s thought that the damage is the result of an attack by the immune system. As your immune system attacks myelin, it causes inflammation and scar tissue or lesions. All that inflammation and scar tissue disrupts signals between the brain and other parts of your body.

Researchers think an environmental trigger such as a virus or toxin could set off the immune system attack.

Progressive MS generally advances faster than relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). People with RRMS can be in remission for many years. A lack of disability after five years is usually a good indicator of the future.

The disease generally progresses faster in men than in women. It may also progress faster in those who receive a diagnosis after age 40 and those with a high relapse rate.

About half of people with MS use a cane or other form of assistance at 15 years after receiving an MS diagnosis. At 20 years, about 60 percent are still ambulatory, and less than 15 percent need custodial care.

Your quality of life will depend on your symptoms and how well you respond to treatment. Most people with MS do not become severely disabled and continue to lead whole lives.

Most people with MS find ways to manage their symptoms and function well. You will face unique challenges, and those can change over time. Many people with MS share their struggles and coping strategies through in-person or online support groups.

Regular exercise is important for physical and mental health, even if you have disabilities. If physical movement is difficult, swimming or exercising in a swimming pool can help. Yoga classes range from beginner to advanced levels, and some are designed just for people with MS.

Studies regarding the effectiveness of complementary therapies are scarce, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help in some way. At MoveMe we treat clients with MS in many ways, working closely with our physiotherapy colleagues, we can apply, modify and customise both therapy programs and orthotic devices to reduce the fatigue and aid in your mobility.

Some of the orthoses may include:

• Leafspring AFO’s
• Carbon fibre AFO various designs dependent on the advancement of the symptoms
• Footups
• Dictus bands
• Hip Flexion Assist Device (HFAD)
• FES systems

The following may help you feel less stressed and more relaxed:

• Meditation
• Massage
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture
• Hypnotherapy
• Music therapy

Mobility issues can also lead to a lack of physical activity, which can lead to other health problems. Having other conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis can complicate matters.

MS is a lifelong condition. You should focus on communicating all concerns with your doctor, learning about MS, and discovering what activities make you feel your best.

Orthotic Consultation will allow you to discuss enhancing your mobility whilst dealing with MS, and this can be arranged with our qualified clinical team –  contact us for more information on what is available or book in with us.