For most people, MS starts with a diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS.1 This is where people experience flare-ups where symptoms get worse, followed by periods of time where symptoms improve or go away completely.1 Over time MS can change, and some people can enter a different phase, called secondary progressive MS (SPMS).1 People with SPMS have a gradual worsening of symptoms without any improvement or remission.1
Whatever treatment you are taking, it’s important to pause for a moment and think back to how your symptoms were a few months ago, compared with how they feel now. This can help you recognise if your MS has changed.
Common signs of changing MS include:2
- Changes in mental processing such as difficulty learning new things, worsening memory or trouble thinking quickly or clearly
- Physical changes such as muscle stiffness, difficulty with balance and walking, bladder or bowel problems, feeling extremely tired, or vision changes.
In this video Rachel Changer, a Physiotherapist who specialises in MS, shares some simple ways to check for differences or changes in your MS symptoms.
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If you do notice a change in your MS, it’s important to recognise it as early as possible to manage your condition. Talk to your healthcare team about any changes, however small, so they can assess whether your MS might be transitioning.
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References:
- MS Research Australia. Types of MS. www.msaustralia.org.au/types-of-ms/ (date of last update 2023).
- Cedars Sinai. Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/secondary-progressive-multiple-sclerosis.html (date of last update 2023).