Can you have MS for years without knowing?

Can you have MS for years without knowing?

“MS is diagnosed most commonly in the ages between 20 and 50. It can occur in children and teens, and those older than 50,” said Smith. “But it can go unrecognized for years.” Added Rahn, “The incidence of MS in the United States according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society is over 1 million people.

Can a blood test detect MS?

Blood tests can’t currently result in a firm diagnosis of MS, but they can rule out other conditions. These conditions include: Lyme disease.

What are the signs of MS in adults?

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• fatigue.
• vision problems.
• numbness and tingling.
• muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness.
• mobility problems.
• pain.
• problems with thinking, learning and planning.
• depression and anxiety.

What causes MS flare ups?

What causes exacerbations? Exacerbations (relapses) are caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). The inflammation damages the myelin, slowing or disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses and causing the symptoms of MS.

Can I live a normal life with MS?

Most people with MS can expect to live as long as people without MS, but the condition can affect their daily life. For some people, the changes will be minor. For others, they can mean a loss of mobility and other functions.

Do I have MS or fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia and MS have some similar symptoms, including headaches, joint and muscle pain, numbness and tingling of extremities, memory problems, and fatigue. Like MS, fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. But unlike MS, fibromyalgia does not show up as brain lesions on an MRI.

Which is worse MS or fibromyalgia?

It affects the brain and spinal cord, and it often gets worse over time. MS can permanently damage your nerves. Fibromyalgia causes pain and stiffness all over your body, along with other symptoms.

Is Fibromyalgia a form of MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and fibromyalgia are very different conditions. However, they sometimes share similar symptoms and signs. Both conditions require a variety of medical tests for a diagnosis.

What is MS eye pain like?

Most people who develop optic neuritis have eye pain that’s worsened by eye movement. Sometimes the pain feels like a dull ache behind the eye. Vision loss in one eye. Most people have at least some temporary reduction in vision, but the extent of loss varies.

What is the root cause of fibromyalgia?

The cause is unknown, but risk factors include traumatic injury, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, and genetic factors. There is no cure, but medications, exercise, acupuncture, and behavioral therapy can help relieve symptoms and improve sleep quality.

Why am I so tired and achy all the time?

Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes you to feel exhausted and weak, no matter how much rest or sleep you get. It often causes insomnia. Because your body doesn’t feel rested or replenished, CFS can also cause aches in the muscles and joints throughout your body.

Why do I feel so tired with fibromyalgia?

One theory for why fibromyalgia also causes fatigue is that the fatigue is the result of your body trying to deal with the pain. This constant reaction to pain signals in your nerves can make you lethargic and exhausted. Most people with fibromyalgia also have trouble sleeping (insomnia).

Do you sleep a lot with fibromyalgia?

There’s an increased awareness nowadays about sleep in general, and that’s prompting greater attention to sleep among those with fibromyalgia. “Most patients work hard, exercise and try to control their blood pressure, but there’s a whole eight hours at night that people forget [about],” Dr. Dasgupta says.