This is my page for anyone who has or wants to know about MS.  First things first, below are some questions that may have led you to this page.

    The brain and spinal cord, along with wires (called axons,) comprise the central nervous system, or CNS. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the protective, insulating coating around the axons called myelin comes under attack. The process of degeneration is called demyelination. Tissues in the area become inflamed. In severe demyelination, scar tissue (known as plaques) forms along damaged areas of axons. Location, number, and size of plaques determine the type and extent of symptoms experienced. Without proper myelin insulation, electrical brain impulses short circuit along the nerve path. Axons and nerve cells, (neurons) can also be damaged. Information to the muscles or skin arrives late, confused, or fails completely.

Just that CNS component that becomes affected by demyelination determines the symptom. The cerebrum (the forward and upper portion of the brain) controls thought, sensation, vision, and movement. Demyelination there can affect memory, motivation, insight, personality, touch, hearing, vision, and muscle tone.

The cerebellum, lying behind the cerebrum, controls coordination of movement, those of the legs, arms, and hands. The cerebellum also balances the body during walking and running.

MS can impair any of the twelve cranial nerves, potentially causing difficulty in vision, eye movement, speech, swallowing, and (rarely) hearing.
The medulla oblongata, or brain stem, at the base of the skull manages some eye movement as well as autonomic (involuntary) functions. Breathing, heart contractions, sweating, urination, and defecation are autonomic functions.

The spinal cord, similar to an electrical bundle of wire, carries instructional nerve impulses from the brain to the body, and information from the body to the brain. Demyelination on the spinal cord causes a disconnection. Instructions for the legs, arms, hands, and organs are partial, distorted, or lost.

The equation for loss-of-myelin to message-impairment is not simple, however. Symptoms are diverse and individual. No two people with MS will match symptomatically. This circumstance confounds doctors administering treatment, and challenges researchers seeking cures. It ultimately frustrates the person with MS and members of the family. Some people with MS will experience severe effects while others report mild ones. Symptoms may be temporary, occurring only during an exacerbation, or may exhibit themselves indefinitely. The impact and duration are both unpredictable.

Continuous working with a doctor, increased awareness of developments and the planned employment of proven treatments, are the best, most intelligent, and successful managements of MS.  - source: MSAA

    No, let me say it again No it cannot kill you.  It can be dehabilitating (cripple) you.  However, thru treatment and therapy you can live a normal/healthy life.

        No.  MS is an autoimmune disease that cannot be given to you.  Not sexually, not from coughing or sneezing, open wound or cut, etc.  Even though there is not scientific proof about what directly causes MS there are a few theories -

    1.  Triggers - i.e - Severe Viral Infection (cold, chicken pox, or flu) at an early age.

    2.  Heredity - Science has now linked some people with this disease indirectly to heredity.

    3.  Happens from a dormant (sleeping) gene that becomes awaken after a traumatic occurrence in one's life.

    The best and first place to start is your own personal physician.  He will be able to give you some insight as to what is causing you aliment.  However, doctors can be wrong.  General Parishioners or Person Physicians generally diagnose the most common and likely causes of your aliment.  If you disagree with your Physician, seek a referral to see a Neurologist.  A Neurologist will be able to determine whether or not you have MS or another neurological disease.  Also, a second opinion doesn't hurt either.

    MS never goes into remission.  However, it can be greatly slowed down by medications and treatments.

    Not usually.  Most people with MS live full lives without the use of any medical equipment such as a wheelchair or cane.  Most, 70% - 85% (depending on which study you follow), never need any medical equipment for their MS.

    No.  It can afflict female or male, young or old.  It does not discriminate.  It is true however, that the people who are afflicted with this disease are 75% women and 25% men (4-1 ratio).  However, the ration women vs. men with this disease is increasing for men.

    Several reasons.  First, there are over 65 different varieties of MS.  Each affect a person with this disease differently. Secondly, they do not call this disease "Multiple" Scleroses for no reason.  It can affect you is different areas - i.e - vision, coordination, walking, talking, just about anything the central nervous system controls.

    No.  MS does not affect your "mind".  However, it can affect you memory (short term usually if it does affect that part of your brain at all), vision, depression, balance; sometimes making you appear as if you are intoxicated even though you are not.

    No, people are usually diagnosed (75%) with MS between ages 20 - 35.

    Relapsing emitting.  It affects about 70% of people with MS.

    Yes.  The following is a listing of current medications for MS -

    ----- As with any medication always seek you personal physician or neurologist for consultation first before trying any medication.  I do not endorse any medication or recommend any medication without seeking the opinion and recommendation of a doctor.

    That is a good question.  Most people who have MS do not show signs of it for a long period of time.  However, should you suspect you have MS consult your doctor and neurologist.  A MRI and/or Spinal Tap will be able to confirm or deny for sure that you have MS.

    As with many people with MS most go thru years of testing and getting people to believe them that there is something wrong.  Don't give up.  If there is something you feel is wrong and not getting the attention that you think it deserves DO NOT GIVE UP!  Seek a second opinion or seek the opinion of a Neurologist.  Doctors are human too and can be wrong.  Personal Physicians/General Practitioner are going to believe the most common causes of your aliment and not the unlikely.  And yes, it is unlikely for most people to have MS.  It is one of the most hardest diseases to diagnose because so little is known about it.

    Although there is no cure for MS there is treatment.  Do not go this disease alone.  It can depress you, make others not believe there is something wrong, and make others misunderstand your circumstance.  Do not let that get you down.  I know, I know, it is easier said than done.   That is true, but there are people who do care and understand what it is that you might be going thru.  People like myself.  As said before by me, NEVER GIVE UP!  FIGHT!