What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. MS symptoms may include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction.

How do members experience multiple sclerosis?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with multiple sclerosis*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for multiple sclerosis*

*Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with multiple sclerosis*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Ocrevus)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (17 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (52)
Treatment

(Mavenclad)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (6 evaluations)
Side effects
common cold fatigue 1 more
Total evaluations
6
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (19)
Treatment

(Tecfidera)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (5 evaluations)
Side effects
facial flushing
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (19)
Treatment

(Aubagio)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (10 evaluations)
Side effects
bowel urgency diarrhea 7 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (11)
Treatment

(Copaxone)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple sclerosis (3 evaluations)
Side effects
injection site pain
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
multiple sclerosis (10)

*Data from patients with multiple sclerosis, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has multiple sclerosis on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 16
20s 422
30s 3,544
40s 11,847
50s 20,013
60s 17,752
70+ 8,652

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 11,504
Female 51,243