11 Important Multiple Sclerosis Questions Answered
Filed Under Multiple Sclerosis General, Multiple Sclerosis Research, Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, Multiple Sclerosis Treatments |
1. What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease, that attacks the central nervous system, and can often be disabling to the victim.
2. How bad will my multiple sclerosis get and how fast will it progress?
The speed of progression, symptoms and the severity of the disease cannot be predicted since the disease is so variable from one person to the next.
3. How many people suffer from multiple sclerosis in the United States?
Approximately 350 Million people, in the United States alone, have multiple sclerosis.
4. How frequently is multiple diagnosed in the United States?
On average, about 200 new cases of multiple sclerosis are diagnosed, each week, in the United States.
5. What are some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Symptoms are widely variable but include things like extreme fatigue, impaired vision, slurred speech, bad balance and coordination, bladder and bowel problems, trouble walking, muscle weakness and coordination issues, cognitive difficulties, depression, tremors and, in some cases, even partial or complete paralysis.
6. Is multiple sclerosis fatal? Will I die from multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is NOT a fatal disease. The average life expectancy for a person with MS is approximately 90% - 95% of the normal life span.
7. Will I need a wheelchair because of my multiple sclerosis? What about a cane or a walker?
Roughly 75% of people with multiple sclerosis never require a wheelchair. Approximately one third of the people with MS will eventually require some sort of walking aid though, such as a cane or a walker.
8. Can a family member get multiple sclerosis from me? Is multiple sclerosis contagious?
MS is not contagious and you cannot get MS from being around a person who has MS.
9. If I have multiple sclerosis, will my children also have multiple sclerosis? Is multiple sclerosis inherited?
MS is not inherited but if a family member has multiple sclerosis, your odds of getting it do increase.
10. How do you cure multiple sclerosis? Is there a cure for multiple sclerosis?
There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. Much research and study is underway to attempt to isolate a cure but that could still be many years off.
11. What drugs are used to treat multiple sclerosis?
The drugs that are aproved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as of this writing, are Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif, Tysabriand Novantrone. These drugs are all aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. They do not treat the symptoms of the disease. Symptoms are treated with various drugs as needed to treat specific problems.
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Does anyone have personal experience with Tysabri? If so, did it help you? I am doing some research for a friend w/ MS, and she is apprehensive about trying it. Please offer your suggestions.