by WalkWithMe1948

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

I have a very good friend from years ago who started having trouble with dizziness and blurry vision. It would go away and then come back. This went on for years and she went to all types of doctors before she finally was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was experiencing what is called hearing loss multiple sclerosis.

What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is caused by the myelin that covers all your nerve cells and with multiple sclerosis the myelin begins to degenerate and as it degenerates, it leaves scarring. The myelin is destroyed in patches so the linking between your nervous system and your brain is short circuited. This effects different parts of your nervous system depending on what part of the brain or spinal column is affected. Your first symptoms could be anything - weakness in your arms or legs, vision problems, problems with your balance; even problems thinking but that usually happens as the disease progresses. Multiple sclerosis starts with everyone differently. The symptoms may be hardly noticeable at first and if you are among the fortunate ones, they may not get any worse and only cause minor problems. Or you can slowly become completely disabled.

There are usually four types or courses of MS:

1. Relapsing remitting - This is where symptoms come and go for many years.
2. Secondary progression - This is where the relapsing, remitting stage is progressively worse the symptoms are worse and the times between symptoms become shorter.
3. Primary progression - This is where the disease is progressive from the beginning.
4. Progressive relapsing - This is when the disease comes and goes but the nerve damage is worse each time.

There are medications that can help a person live with the disease. Some medications slow down the progression of the disease and, of course, work the best the sooner a diagnosis is made as this slows down the nerve damage. But early diagnosis is hard to make because the symptoms are the same as so many other problems or diseases.

There are several types of medications that are currently used. These medications reduce the number or severity of the relapses. These medications suppress or change the immune system as studies have shown that MS is one of the autoimmune diseases. The immune system is destroying the myelin. There are also medications that can be taken during attacks to help with most of the symptoms. As limbs get stiff, there is physical or occupational therapy that help with symptoms. There have been good results with all of these choices of therapy.

Unfortunately, there are cases where the disease can become life threatening but that is very rare. Most people with medication and other therapy can live a productive life.

There are many support groups that are a great help to people with this disease. The Multiple Sclerosis Society is a good place for further information and information on local support groups in different communities.

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