Surviving a Summer Cold

These Early Symptoms May Signify MS

So many patients deal with strange, niggling issues for years before they finally connect the dots, seek a diagnosis, and learn that they actually have multiple sclerosis. This late diagnosis is understandable. MS is a very unusual disease, and it presents differently between patients. However, late diagnosis also means that medications to slow the progression of MS might be less effective. As such, if you have any of these seemingly mild symptoms, it's often worth bringing them to your doctor's attention sooner rather than later.

Vision Problems

It's not unusual for someone's vision to worsen as they age, which is likely why this symptom is overlooked so often. But if your eyeglass prescription is continually changing, month after month, something bigger is likely going on — like MS. You should also let your doctor know if your vision is changing in other ways. Does your visual field seem to be getting smaller? Do you see spots or bright lights sometimes? MS could be to blame.

Tingling in the Extremities

The sensation of pins and needles in your hands or feet is a common early sign of MS. This happens because the nerves associated with your extremities tend to be the first ones affected by the disease. The tingling may come and go at first, which makes it easy to dismiss. You may just have a pinched nerve, but it's a good idea to rule out MS just to be sure.

Incontinence

If you feel like you have to urinate more often or have trouble holding your urine, this can be an embarrassing thing to share with others. But it is important to talk about, at least with your doctor, because it is a commonly overlooked sign of MS. The disease can affect the nerves that maintain your bladder tone along with those that tell you when it's time to urinate.

Foggy Mindedness

Some people describe this as brain fog. Others say they have trouble thinking clearly, or that they lose track of their thoughts quickly. In any case, this sort of mental fatigue can be a sign of MS. Of course, you could just be tired, or you may have something like early-onset dementia. But if you complain to your doctor about this symptom, MS is one explanation they're likely to consider.

MS is manageable, and medications to slow its progression are quite effective when given early on. Always keep your eyes out for early symptoms and talk to a multiple sclerosis doctor for more information.