Symptom Management

The symptoms experienced as a result of multiple sclerosis can vary greatly from person to person, and depend on which areas of the brain and spinal cord develop MS lesions.

The time course over which MS lesions develop, as well as the number and location of lesions, is different for each individual. Consequently, the time frame in which symptoms occur and the specific types of symptoms experienced is unique for each person.

Because of the large variability of lesions between individuals, MS varies greatly in severity. Some people may have rare, mild attacks over their lifetime and may not experience any permanent symptoms, while others may develop severe, permanent symptoms over a relatively short period of time.

MS symptoms may occur episodically or may progress continuously. Episodes of symptoms are known as relapses, attacks, or exacerbations. There usually is improvement in symptoms after an attack; this improvement is referred to as a “remission.” In contrast to these “relapsing-remitting” symptoms, some people have symptoms that develop slowly and then progressively worsen over time with no clear remissions; these symptoms are referred to as “progressive.”

With a long list of widely varying symptoms, it’s just as critical for those living with MS to directly treat their day to day symptoms as to treat multiple sclerosis itself.  While it’s impossible to craft a complete list of all drugs a physician may prescribe to mitigate common MS symptoms, we’ve compiled the following list of a few commonly-occurring symptoms and drugs that are widely used to treat them.