Can Do MS

Like other MS symptoms, pain is different for each person, and each person may experience various types of pain at one time or another. It’s important to know the terms used to describe the types of pain that can occur in MS and be able to describe your pain to your healthcare provider(s).

Managing pain in MS often requires a multi-step approach, involving different types of interventions by a multi-disciplinary team. In other words, it may require time, some patience on your part, and a willingness to advocate for yourself by clearly describing the pain(s) you are experiencing, the timing and intensity of that pain, and any triggers that seem to make your pain worse.

Pain is one of the most common “invisible” symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting approximately two-thirds of people with MS over the course of their lives, and approximately half of people with MS at any given time. Despite the high prevalence of pain in MS, less than one-third of patients report receiving treatment to specifically address their pain. Routine assessment and comprehensive treatment of pain is essential for promoting function and quality of life among people with MS.

We need and want a lot from our healthcare providers. Expertise, a great “bedside manner,” responsiveness, a friendly office staff, convenience, and accessibility in the parking lot, office, and bathroom are all important. But each of us has different priorities – so figuring out what matters most to you will make it easier to find the provider you need.

Could a change in diet make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Could it reduce MS-related fatigue? Could it improve quality of life or reduce the number of enhancing lesions on MRI? Should prescribing a diet for people with MS be part of overall care? These are questions that Dr. Terry Wahls and her team are trying to answer.

Getting through everyday activities can be tiring and frustrating without the right tools and adaptations. Moving around, reaching for things, and manipulating equipment in your home or office can all pose challenges when you have multiple sclerosis.

Visual symptoms are often a person’s first symptom of MS – the one that prompts a visit to the eye doctor or neurologist and, eventually, an MS diagnosis. Learn some visual compensatory strategies to maximize your ability to function independently and safely.

MS can take away your sense of personal control -- over your vision, walking ability, thinking and memory. But losing control of your bladder and bowel function -- which you worked hard to master as a very young child -- is tough to take. So learning how MS affects bladder and bowel function -- and what you can do about it -- is the first step toward taking back control.

Mood changes and MS are intertwined in complex ways. In this article, we’ll look at the kinds of mood changes that can occur, why they matter, and what can be done to manage them.

There are plenty of ways to manage cognitive changes, whether it’s forgetfulness, slowed thinking, or trouble focusing. This article has 12 tips to help you with changes in your thinking, attention, and memory.