Some signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) are undetectable to those around the sick person. Here is the list.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that occurs in flare-ups.
- Some symptoms of multiple sclerosis are not visible.
- These invisible symptoms remain no less disabling.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause symptoms in some patients that friends, colleagues, employers, doctors, family, children or spouses may not be aware of.
In a very complete file published by Arsep on this theme, we learn that the invisible manifestations of this autoimmune disease can be:
– fatigue;
– cognitive disorders;
– mood/emotional disorders;
– vision problems;
– sexual disorders;
– urinary and sphincter disorders;
– intestinal disorders;
– walking/balance problems;
– coordination disorders;
– a decrease in muscle strength;
– pains.
“All diagnostic classifications and forms of the disease are based on events, flare-ups and progression. These clinical situations are quite easily identified by the neurologist,” Professor Thibault Moreau, head of neurology at Dijon University Hospital, tells us in the introduction. “However, other symptoms less detectable by doctors and even more so by people around them accompany the progression of the disease. These “invisible” manifestations strongly alter the quality of life, with significant repercussions on the personal sphere , family and professional”, he emphasizes. “Quite surprisingly, these invisible symptoms occur even if the disease is stable, that is to say without relapse, without progression and without permanent disability, which of course contributes to the incomprehension of loved ones,” he adds.
Multiple sclerosis: fatigue, cognitive disorders and mood disorders
Concerning behavioral and mood disorders, fatigue affects between 75 and 95% of people with MS at one point or another in the history of their disease. “It is distinguished from fatigue observed in healthy people by its disabling nature and by the fact that it is not improved by rest or sleep,” explains Mathieu Vaillant, neurologist at Grenoble University Hospital.
In MS, cognitive disorders mainly concern 4 main areas: amnestic abilities, attentional abilities, language abilities and executive functioning. “Cognitive disorders are found in 40 to 70% of patients and can appear early,” indicates Anne-Marie Guennoc, neurologist at CHU Tours.
More than half of people with multiple sclerosis will experience mood disorders at some point in their course: grief, depression, anxiety, OCD, sudden changes in state of mind, irritability, dysphoric state, bipolarity, emotional lability, affective incontinence, alexithymia and pseudobulbar syndrome.
Multiple sclerosis: “visual disturbances are very present”
Visual disturbances (double vision, instability of images…) are very present (nearly 75% of patients) during the progression of multiple sclerosis. “They may be the consequence of direct damage to the optic nerves or areas responsible for controlling eye movements in the brainstem,” reports Xavier Ayrignacn, neurologist at Gui de Chauliac hospital and Montpellier University Hospital.
Multiple sclerosis: sexual disorders, urinary disorders, sphincter disorders and transit disorders
Véronique Bonniaud, MPR doctor at Dijon University Hospital, continues the Arsep synthesis on what she calls the “unloved troubles” related to MS, namely sexual problems, urinary problems, sphincter problems and intestinal problems. “Sexual disorders (decreased vaginal lubrication, pain during intercourse, orgasm disorders, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, etc.) concern 45% of patients in the 10 first years of illness, and more than 70% after 15 years of MS”, describes the specialist.
“Urinary and sphincter disorders (overactive bladder syndrome, dysuria, retention, cystitis, etc.) are very numerous and are not linked to the form of multiple sclerosis. These disorders can occur from the start of the disease or at the course of development. They affect 80 to 90% of patients. she adds.
“Transit disorders in MS are common (39 to 73% of patients) but often under‐evaluated. They manifest in the form of constipation (43% of cases) or anal incontinence (51%).” she finishes.
MS: walking problems, balance problems, coordination problems and reduced muscle strength
Concerning the chapters linked to travel, Nathalie Derache, neurologist at Caen University Hospital, writes in the Arsep file without giving any precise impact that “walking and balance disorders (falls, pain, difficulty running, etc.) present varied symptoms depending on the person.”
“Coordination disorders and reduced muscle strength are common symptoms in multiple sclerosis that must be recognized,” underlines on this same theme Pierre Branger, neurologist at Caen University Hospital.
Multiple sclerosis: “pain affects up to 86% of people affected”
Finally, “among the invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis, pain is one of the most present, affecting up to 86% of people affected. This pain can be very varied and affect, for example, the lower limbs, the lower back or even give headaches”, concludes Guillaume Mathey, neurologist at Nancy University Hospital.