Multiple Sclerosis and you

MS Symptoms & You

How MS symptoms can affect your daily life¹²

MS symptoms can impact your life in a variety of ways including¹²:

Feeling limited when carrying out activities

Having to reduce daily work activities

Feeling fatigued or exhausted

Functioning at work, around the house, helping your children and leisure activities

Imposing a practical, emotional and financial strain

Feeling embarrassed

Your ‘invisible’ symptoms may not be obvious to people around you. How you experience these ‘invisible’ symptoms (such as fatigue, cognitive problems, pain and bowel and bladder dysfunction) may lead to a discrepancy between how you appear outwardly, and how you are feeling internally, which may be difficult or distressing for you in a number of ways.³⁴
Don’t forget, the ‘invisible’ symptoms of MS are just as important to how you feel as the ‘visible’ symptoms.³
You may prefer not to discuss all of your ‘invisible’ symptoms or you may try to keep them hidden, either to preserve a sense of control, to avoid feeling like you are not validated or believed or because you are embarrassed. This can place a heavy burden on you and leave you suffering privately.⁵
Be open and honest about all your symptoms - misunderstandings can put a strain on both your emotional well-being and your relationships.^³⁴

How symptoms impact people with MS

"I don't really look ill, and that's really the worst thing about this"

Quotes are adapted from first person accounts of MS patients that may differ from the experience of other MS patients.

How symptoms impact people with MS

"I think of exhaustion, struggle and pushing myself."

Quotes are adapted from first person accounts of MS patients that may differ from the experience of other MS patients.

How symptoms impact people with MS

"I feel bad when I miss an activity, like I'm disappointing people."

Quotes are adapted from first person accounts of MS patients that may differ from the experience of other MS patients.

MS symptoms can be challenging to manage

Some of the symptoms of MS can be managed with medication, rehabilitation and other management strategies. This may involve a team of healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise who can help you to manage your symptoms.⁶

Being able to consider all of the MS symptoms that you are experiencing can help you, and those around you, to identify the support you need.⁷³⁸