Trouble Swallowing Food or Drinks

Posted on January 6, 2025 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Many symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are challenging to endure. For example, having difficulty swallowing is a common issue with MS. It can prevent any pleasure or comfort when eating a meal. Many people with MS report being discouraged from eating at all due to the severe pain and terror it can cause.

We reached out to the MS community to learn more. We asked, “Do you ever feel like your food gets stuck in your throat or experience other difficulties when it comes to swallowing food or drinks?”

We received 280 responses to our prompt! The MS community was moved to share their symptoms.

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Ask the Expert: Weakness

Posted on December 30, 2024 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: How is weakness in MS best treated?

Answer: Weakness in multiple sclerosis can be divided into “primary weakness,” due to injuries from lesions of the spinal cord and brain; or “secondary weakness,” which comes from issues such as inactivity, fatigue, pain, or medications used to treat multiple sclerosis and its symptoms.

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MS and Sensory Overload

Posted on December 9, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

One overlooked symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is sensory overload. Noise, lights, and crowds cause panic and lead to feeling overwhelmed. Many with MS do not realize sensory overload is a symptom. It feels confusing when it first happens.

MultipleSclerosis.net published an article about sensory overload that resonated with many readers. The insights and responses from the community are worth sharing!

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Morning Pain and MS

Posted on November 4, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Navigating pain is a consistent challenge with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nights are often not restful. Many with MS wake in pain. It is challenging to move first thing in the morning.

MultipleSclerosis.net members recently engaged in a discussion about morning pain. Here are some of the insights they shared.

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Ask the Expert: Sleep Issues

Posted on October 28, 2024 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What types of problems most often interfere with sleep for individuals with MS?

Answer: High quality sleep is generally recognized as an important health benefit for everyone, and this is especially true for people with MS. Poor quality sleep can increase MS symptoms such as fatigue, pain, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and depression, as well as difficulties with memory and concentration. Unfortunately, more than half of those with MS have some kind of a sleep disorder or sleep dysfunction, which is a higher proportion than for those in the general population.

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Shared Experiences: Things Only Someone With MS Would Understand

Posted on October 7, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can feel lonely. It is hard for others to understand the spectrum of MS symptoms. Fortunately, there are communities to connect with others navigating MS! It makes the journey feel less isolating.

MultipleSclerosis.net recently posted the following:

“Fill in the blank: ______ is something that only someone with multiple sclerosis would understand.”

This question clearly resonated, as there were over 350 responses! Among the comments, some common themes emerged.

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Fear of Falling With MS

Posted on September 23, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

A concern for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the fear of falling. Loss of balance with this disease makes falling a common problem. But many find that slowing down, walking carefully, and learning to get up safely after a fall can be helpful.¹

MulipleSclerosis.net recently published an article that highlighted some of these trials. Given the reaction it received, it clearly resonated with lots of people! Here are some of the themes that people shared in response to the article.

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Ask the Expert: Swallowing Disorders

Posted on August 27, 2024 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: How can MS affect the ability to swallow and what treatments are available?

Answer: Dysphagia refers to any problem swallowing. This issue is common in a number of neurological disorders, including MS. It’s estimated that approximately one-third of people living with MS will experience difficulty swallowing or dysphagia at some point in their lifetime.

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Embracing The Vacation

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Teena Palathanam

Travelling with MS can be overwhelming, especially if you are travelling to a new destination. Not knowing where the restrooms are or having a place to relax when your legs give way can cause a lot of anxiety for individuals with MS. The unpredictability that comes with MS adds to the stress. Although unexpected hiccups can happen to anyone, planning your itinerary ahead of time will eliminate a great deal of anxiety. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you are planning for a vacation:

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How MS Messes with Speech

Posted on August 19, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

One frustrating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the cognitive impact. Those of us with MS often struggle with memory, recall, and speech. When words vanish, we get creative in communicating!

MultipleSclerosis.net posted the following prompt to the community:

“MS can mess with our word recall and speech function, making remembering the names of people, places, and things difficult. If only there was 1 word for it all. We want to know, what would your word be? Example: ‘Can you please hand me the _____ over there?’ Philadelphia natives might throw the word ‘jawn’ in there!”

There was a lot of engagement with this topic!

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