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Early Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Signs and Symptoms

Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Medical Editor: Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

Quick GuideMultiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms and Treatment

List of drugs to mange spacicity, vision, urinary, bowel, and emotional symptoms

Treating MS muscle spasms and other problems

Antispasmodics, for example:

baclofen (Lioresal)
Benzodiazepines
dantrolene (Dantrium)
gabapentin
tizanidine (Zanaflex)
dalfampridine (Ampyra)
Intramuscular botulinum toxin and/or phenol nerve blocks

Treating MS eye problems

Prednisone
IV methylprednisolone

Treating MS bladder and bowel problems

Managing bladder problems includes:

Having to schedule voiding
Limiting fluid intake in the evening
Reducing or stopping diuretics
Injecting Botox into the bladder
Intermittent catheterization and alpha blockers

Managing bowel problems include:

Increase fluid uptake daily
Increased dietary fiber
Stool softeners
Laxatives and bulk former such as Metamucil or similar agents

Managing depression in MS

Antidepressants such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tri cyclic antidepressants
Other problems may require less medication and more understanding of the patient's situation. For example, heat intolerance can be addressed by avoiding activities that would increase the person's temperature such as use of saunas or staying outside in hot temperatures.

Rehabilitation therapy

Rehabilitation therapy may help reduce symptoms of speech, muscle problems associated with swallowing, walking and motor skills. During therapy the patient can be introduced to devices that will help with the tasks of daily living.

Which specialties of doctors treat multiple sclerosis?

Consultation with specialists is often recommended; for example, individuals with cognitive problems may be helped by a neuropsychologist and /or a psychiatrist while those with symptoms related to the bowel or bladder may be best served by consultation with a gastroenterologist or urologist. Individuals with advanced MS with multiple problems may require, in addition to physician specialists, a social worker specialist to manage the intense every-day care required to care for a person with MS. Some patients with debilitating multiple sclerosis symptoms and poor health may require patient to have a live-in caregiver.

For additional information about MS, contact the Multiple Sclerosis Society and/or the MS International Federation.

REFERENCES:

FDA News Release. "FDA aprpoves new drug to treat multiple sclerosis." March 29, 2017.
<https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm549325.htm>

Luzzio, C. MD. "Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Presentation." Medscape. Updated: Mar 01, 2017.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1146199-clinical>

MS International Federation. "Pain." Updated Nov 10, 2016.
<https://www.msif.org/about-ms/symptoms-of-ms/pain/ >

National MS Society.
<http://www.nationalmssociety.org/>

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/18/2017

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