How can I tell if I have MS ?

Symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from person to person and from time to time in the same person. For example, one person may experience abnormal fatigue, while another might have severe vision problems. A person with MS could have loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult; another person with MS could have slurred speech, tremors, stiffness, and bladder problems. While some symptoms will come and go over the course of the disease, others may be more lasting.

Most common symptoms

Bladder dysfunction
Bowel dysfunction
Changes in cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving
Dizziness and vertigo
Depression and other emotional changes
Fatigue (also called MS lassitude)
Difficulty in walking and/or balance or coordination problems
Abnormal sensations such as numbness or “pins and needles” numbness
Pain
Sexual dysfunction
Spasticity
Vision problems

Less Common Symptoms

Headache
Hearing loss
Itching
Seizures
Speech and swallowing disorders
Tremor