MULTIPLE
SCLEROSIS Q: What is MS?
A: MS is a chronic disease of the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS). MS affects more than 400,000 people in North America. The disease usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40 years, with an average age of onset around 30. MS affects more women than men.
In MS, there are patches of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that cause damage to the myelin. This makes it more difficult for information signals to travel along nerve fibers with the required speed, eventually causing the symptoms seen in MS.
Q: What causes MS?
A: Despite a great deal of research, we still do not know what causes MS. In general it is thought that MS is caused by a combination of factors. It is likely that people with MS are, to a certain extent, prone to develop the disease (that is, it is something that they inherit). Then some unknown environmental factor may trigger the immune system to attack the white matter of the central nervous system.
Q: What are some of the symptoms associated with MS? Why are my symptoms different from other people with MS?
A: The symptoms caused by MS are extremely varied and differ from person to person. It has a lot to do with where the inflammation and demyelination are situated in the central nervous system. Some symptoms occur very often, some are seldom seen. The effects that all these symptoms have on the quality of life vary a great deal. A lot depends on how you experience symptoms and how you are able to cope with them. In the course of time, you do learn to cope and to compensate by doing things you are still capable of doing. It is a process that requires some time and effort on your part, and on the part of those around you, including friends and family.
Symptoms may include optic neuritis, loss of muscle strength in arms and legs, symptoms affecting the sense of touch, pain, symptoms affecting the muscles controlling the bladder and bowel, sexual problems, loss of balance and coordination, fatigue, impairment of cognitive function, and mood changes.
TREATMENT
OF THE UNDERLYING COURSE OF MS Interferons, such as Avenex and Betaseron
Glatiramer Acetate
(Copaxone)
Corticosteroids, such as Solumedrol
There are fewer ways of dealing with the more progressive types of MS, in which the person has no periods of recovery
Fortunately, there is help for this disorder, since diagnosed
MS patients are eligible to receive SSI if they are unable to work. Money is
still needed for research to combat and beat this disease. For more information
on how you can help, go to:
National Multiple
Sclerosis Society
For a wealth of information about this disease, you can also
go to:
MSActive Source
FIBROMYALGIA
FM is a "chronic invisible illness". It isn't just a form of muscular rheumatism. It's actually a type of neurotransmitter dysfunction. (Neurotransmitters are what the brain uses to tell the body what to do.) We think 4% or more of all people have FM.
Taken from: Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Syndrome Handout
# 3
- Devin Starlanyl, M.D.
Similar to Multiple Sclerosis, the
symptoms are often invisible to those unfamiliar with the disease.
Generalized
Pain, Fatigue, Stiffness, Morning Fatigue, Post-Exertional Malaise, Sleep Disturbances,
Morning Stiffness, Headaches, Tenderness, Swollen Feeling in Tissues, Numbness
& Tingling, Cognitive Impairment, Dizziness, Sensitivity to Noise, Smell
& Stress, Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping), Dry Mouth, Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, Blurred Vision, Affective Lability (mood Swings), Heart Palpitations,
Cold Extremities, Feverous Feeling, Allergies, Restless Legs, Muscle Twitches,
Itchy Skin, Hearing Disturbances, Night Sweats, Migraines, Breathing Problems
, Infection Proneness, Skin Manifestations (rashes) , Interstital cystitis,
TMJ Dysfunction, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Major Depression (concurrent)
The symptoms are treatable, but because Fibromyalgia is not recognized as a definite disease, the victims are not eligible for SSI and are forced to work, despite their chronic problems and pain.
For educational material concerning this disease, go to:
The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association, Inc.
Living With FM & MPS (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofacial Pain Syndrome)
