How long can you have MS symptoms?

You may have a single symptom, and then go months or years without any others. A problem can also happen just one time, go away, and never return. For some people, the symptoms get worse within weeks or months.

Can you have MS for years and not know?

“MS is diagnosed most commonly in the ages between 20 and 50. It can occur in children and teens, and those older than 50,” said Smith. “But it can go unrecognized for years.” Added Rahn, “The incidence of MS in the United States according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society is over 1 million people.

Is MS worse than fibromyalgia?

It affects the brain and spinal cord, and it often gets worse over time. MS can permanently damage your nerves. Fibromyalgia causes pain and stiffness all over your body, along with other symptoms. Doctors aren’t sure what triggers it.

Can fibromyalgia be MS?

While MS and fibro may have some symptoms in common, they are ultimately distinct conditions with very different causes and treatments. Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis are both chronic diseases with no cure. Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis can both cause some of the same symptoms.

Can fibromyalgia develop into MS?

Multiple Sclerosis News Today reported on a Canadian study in July 2018 that looked at the early warning signs of MS. Researchers found that fibromyalgia, a condition involving widespread musculoskeletal pain, was more than three times as common in people who were later diagnosed with MS.

Can MS cause personality changes?

While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point, more rarely, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don’t seem to make sense, or that they aren’t able to control.

Why is MS so hard to diagnose?

MS can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be easy to ignore or put down to another condition, and because there’s no single test that can diagnose it. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, causes the brain to degenerate over time. It’s characterised by damaged areas (lesions) on the brain and spinal cord.

What are symptoms suggest I might have MS?

16 Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Vision problems. Visual problems are one of the most common symptoms of MS. Tingling and numbness. MS affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord (the body’s message center). Pain and spasms. Fatigue and weakness. Balance problems and dizziness. Bladder and bowel dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction. Cognitive problems. Changes in emotional health.

How do I get diagnosed with MS?

A neurologist will typically diagnose multiple sclerosis. Diagnosis of MS involves a clinical exam by the physician (neurologist), as well as diagnostic tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord.

What are the signs and symptoms of MS?

Sensory Symptoms and Pain. MS commonly causes an array of abnormal sensations like numbness and tingling, burning, aching, prickling, cramping, tightness, itching, stabbing, tearing, or pressure—and they can occur anywhere in the body.