Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a medical condition where the body’s immune system, which usually fights off germs, mistakenly attacks its own central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and nerves in the eyes. MS is a long-term disease that affects people differently.1
- Show all
- Experience
- Adaptations
Frequently asked questions
(Adapted from MS in the 21st century’s “my MS roadmap”)
Everyone’s experience with MS is different. Symptoms and their onset vary from patient to patient and are dependent on the location in the brain where the damage occurs. This can make it difficult for doctors to predict how your MS might change over time. However, it is important to be open and honest with your MS team; the more you share, the better they can support you with your particular MS journey.1
Research shows that MS relapses occur more often around the time that patients experience infections. Urinary tract and upper respiratory infections (e.g., in your nose, sinuses, throat or voice box) are the infections that are most linked to relapses.3,4
There are steps and adaptations you can make to improve your cognitive reserve and manage your long-term cognition; discuss options with your healthcare provider.5
Small adaptations to your daily life can have a big impact in the long run. These may be changes to your car, such as switching to an automatic vehicle, or adjustments around the home, such as installing a second banister rail on the stairs to help you balance. Having these conversations with your doctor may help support your lifestyle.6
There may be steps you could take to reduce the impact of your MS on your work and make your working environment more comfortable. These may include greater flexibility in your working hours or allowing you access to a quiet place for rest. Your doctor may be able to help you find reliable resources of information about your employment rights and support you having these conversations.7
For more information about MS, including information on onset of symptoms, diagnosis and relapses, visit https://mymsroadmap.com/.
Frequently asked questions
(Adapted from MS in the 21st century’s “my MS roadmap”)
Everyone’s experience with MS is different. Symptoms and their onset vary from patient to patient and are dependent on the location in the brain where the damage occurs. This can make it difficult for doctors to predict how your MS might change over time. However, it is important to be open and honest with your MS team; the more you share, the better they can support you with your particular MS journey.1
Research shows that MS relapses occur more often around the time that patients experience infections. Urinary tract and upper respiratory infections (e.g., in your nose, sinuses, throat or voice box) are the infections that are most linked to relapses.3,4
There are steps and adaptations you can make to improve your cognitive reserve and manage your long-term cognition; discuss options with your healthcare provider.5
For more information about MS, including information on onset of symptoms, diagnosis and relapses, visit https://mymsroadmap.com/.
Frequently asked questions
(Adapted from MS in the 21st century’s “my MS roadmap”)
Small adaptations to your daily life can have a big impact in the long run. These may be changes to your car, such as switching to an automatic vehicle, or adjustments around the home, such as installing a second banister rail on the stairs to help you balance. Having these conversations with your doctor may help support your lifestyle.6
There may be steps you could take to reduce the impact of your MS on your work and make your working environment more comfortable. These may include greater flexibility in your working hours or allowing you access to a quiet place for rest. Your doctor may be able to help you find reliable resources of information about your employment rights and support you having these conversations.7
For more information about MS, including information on onset of symptoms, diagnosis and relapses, visit https://mymsroadmap.com/.
Additional multiple sclerosis (MS) resources
Caregiver resources
Caregiver Corner: Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple sclerosis. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Updated, October 11, 2024. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/multiple-sclerosis#:~:text=Multiple%20sclerosis%20(MS)%20is%20a,have%20a%20normal%20life%20expectancy
- Empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-the-society/who-we-are/research-we-fund/ms-prevalence#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20MS,people%20at%20a%20given%20time
- Marrodan M, Alessandro L, Farez MF, Correale J. The role of infections in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2019;25(7):891-901. doi:10.1177/1352458518823940
- Mahadeva A, Tanasescu R, Gran B. Urinary tract infections in multiple sclerosis: under-diagnosed and under-treated? A clinical audit at a large University Hospital. Am J Clin Exp Immunol. January 2014. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3960762/
- Cognitive Changes – MSAA: The Multiple Sclerosis Association Of America. Mymsaa.org. Updated July 2023. Accessed on November 27, 2024. https://mymsaa.org/msinformation/symptoms/cognitive/#:~:text=Keep%20a%20small%20spiral%20notebook,message%20on%20your%20answering%20machine.
- Home adaptations and equipment. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK. Updated February 15, 2024. Accessed on November 27, 2024. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/living-with-ms/home-and-travel/home-adaptations-equipment
- Work, MS and you. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK. Accessed on November 27, 2024. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/living-with-ms/working-and-ms/work-ms-and-you#:~:text=What%20kinds%20of%20reasonable%20adjustment,working%20from%20home