“The first neurologist I went to see about my MS brushed off my questions and concerns about medications and made me feel helpless, as if no matter what lifestyle changes I made, MS would cripple me…” – anonymous patient participant in our “Autoimmunity Voices” survey
Patient stories such as this are all too common. Given that approximately 400,000 people in the US are living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with an estimated 2.5 million cases worldwide, it is very possible that you or someone you love has been affected by this autoimmune disease. Since so many people are either directly or indirectly affected, as Your Autoimmunity Connection, we decided to shine our spotlight on Multiple Sclerosis… there is strength in numbers!
Read on to become connected with available statistics, research initiatives, supportive patient communities, and still more resources. And check out our Facebook page and forum for more MS-related updates!
What do the numbers show?
Current available statistics on MS estimate that…
- In the US, 200 new MS cases are diagnosed each week.
- The mean age of onset is 32 years, with diagnosis most often in the age range of 20-50.
- MS is diagnosed 2 to 3 times more frequently in women than in men.
A startling reality is that the last study of prevalence of MS in the US was conducted in 1975. Given that MS presents itself as an “invisible disease” with variable symptoms that wax and wane in severity, we have no idea how closely estimates of its prevalence track reality. MS also has a highly variable course across individual patients, affecting different parts of the body at different levels of severity.
The National MS Society leads the charge of reevaluating and updating statistics on MS. Our team at Your Autoimmunity Connection is working to connect patients (and their support systems) with one another and with currently available resources.
The good news for those of you reading this – whether you are affected by MS, have a loved one who is affected, or are simply generally interested – is that the life expectancy for most people with MS is often normal, or close to normal. There are many pharmaceutical treatments available, although matching them to the individual patient can be challenging and some may have serious side effects. More recently comes the understanding from alternative approaches that include lifestyle changes. Most notably, diet, supplements and exercise, may help moderate or even reverse symptoms, prevent flares, and complement or reduce the need for pharmaceuticals.
Check out our food spotlight on MS to learn more about which foods may be the best or worst for your symptoms!
Connecting you with available resources
Back to basics – brush up on general MS information
If you’ve reached this page and read this far along, chances are high that you already have at least some background knowledge about MS. However, it can’t hurt to brush up on the basics. The following pages each provide a comprehensive overview of MS:
- National MS Society: What is MS?
- Differentiate between types of MS, peruse the FAQs, and more.
- Cleveland Clinic: Disease Management – MS
- Familiarize yourself with common signs and symptoms, what to expect of diagnosis, and possible treatments.
- Mayo Clinic: Multiple Sclerosis Overview
- Learn about risk factors, possible courses of disease, complications, and how to connect with specialist doctors and departments.
For the recently diagnosed
Are you just starting out on your journey of living with MS? These resources may be helpful for you in coordinating your healthcare team and maintaining your optimal wellbeing:
- Everyday Health: How to Find a Specialist Who Treats Multiple Sclerosis
- How to start your search for an MS doctor and good questions to ask once you’ve selected one.
- Your Autoimmunity Connection: Patient Guide – How to Achieve Your Optimal Wellbeing
- Tips & tools for coordinating your care team, implementing lifestyle modifications, and utilizing digital health tools to maximize your health.
For anyone affected – find your patient community
- National MS Society: Resources – Support
- Browse educational resources, connect with other patients, and find programs nearby.
- MS Connection
- Participate in online discussions, join support groups, or browse their blog.
- Multiple Sclerosis Insight & Encouragement Facebook Forum
- Connect online with other patients to receive and offer helpful knowledge and support. Patients in this forum seem to be particularly active and engaged, but a search on Facebook may offer you more options, too!
What’s happening in research?
We’ve picked out a few of our favorite research resources – get caught up on recent findings, informed of future directions, and tap into your potential for involvement as a patient:
- National MS Society: Research
- Explore MS research news & updates, studies funded by the National MS Society, and opportunities for your participation in research initiatives.
- Science Daily: Multiple Sclerosis Research News
- Read up on recent studies that have focused on blood sample detection, possible environmental and lifestyle triggers, successes in clinical trials, and more.
- Medical Xpress: Taurine lends hand to repair cells damaged in multiple sclerosis
- This new study suggests an endogenous metabolite, the amino acid taurine, may spark remyelination and boost the effectiveness of current MS therapies.
What is one thing everyone should know about MS?
When looking at the big picture, we must remember that MS falls within the larger category of autoimmune diseases, of which there are over 100 individual diseases. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) estimates that 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease. What’s more, a research study estimated that approximately 25% of patients with autoimmune diseases have a tendency to develop additional autoimmune diseases. For example, statistics show that people with other autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease are at a slightly increased risk of developing MS.
We hope that shining the spotlight on MS this month connects you with beneficial resources and information. However, we would like to emphasize the need to take a holistic approach in tackling the autoimmune disease epidemic. By looking at all autoimmune diseases together, we can move away from fragmented statistics that hide the magnitude of the problem and towards concerted action in reshaping research, diagnosis, and treatment. Our model is the revolution in cancer research and treatment that has come from viewing cancer as a group of diseases with common etiologies, thus garnering more resources than individual types of cancer.
Where did we get this data, and where can you find more?
The following pages present statistics surrounding MS incidence, prevalence, and more. Some of these “fast facts” you may be familiar with, but others may surprise you.
- National MS Society: Who Gets MS?
- Multiple Sclerosis News Today: Multiple Sclerosis Statistics
- HealthLine: Multiple Sclerosis by the Numbers
- Cleveland Clinic: Multiple Sclerosis – Prevalence
Get acquainted with Your Autoimmunity Connection
- Check out our blog at www.drbonnie360.com for all things autoimmune – from updates in research to possible lifestyle modifications, patient stories, and more.
- Find us on Facebook here, or join our Facebook Forum to connect with patients across all autoimmune diseases.
- Read our patient guide on How to Achieve Your Optimal Wellbeing
- Read our Guide to Movement Therapy
- Check out our other spotlights here
[1] Cojocaru, M, Inimioara Mihaela Cojocaru, and Isabela Silosi. “Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome.” Mædica 5.2 (2010): 132–134. Print.
16 Comments
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Margaret Larino · January 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 50. I was still mobile but use a cane. I had balance issues and some falling. I only took baclofen as the injectable medicine did not seem to help. I was about to try other oral medicines.There has been little if any progress in finding a cure or reliable treatment. My multiple sclerosis got significantly worse and unbearable because of my cognitive thinking.. Last year, i started on a natural multiple sclerosis Herbal therapy from Mbeki Herbal Clinic, i read a lot of positive reviews from patients who used the treatment and i immediately started on it. I had great relief with this herbal treatment. I am doing very much better now, no case of Cognitive thinking or memory Loss,, my multiple sclerosis condition is totally reversed. Visit Mbeki Herbal Clinic website ww w. mbekiherbalclinic. com. This treatment is a miracle!!
kate wilson · February 5, 2018 at 10:53 am
REAL LIFE
My son’s symptoms were over a three-month period. It started in his back. On and off for two months, my son had pains and aches across the middle of his back. We saw my aunt who is a chiropractor and then my son’s doctor. Both said he was very tight across his back and suggested physical therapy. It didn’t help. That subsided and then his pinky finger went numb for a few days…again, that subsided. A month later, I noticed he was walking funny…that also subsided. Somewhere in the middle of all this, he experienced balance issues, only once though. We knew something wasn’t right. Right before our doctor’s appointment we noticed his left side was a little weak. His doctor confirmed that he was definitely having issues with balance and reflexes. He referred us to a neurologist. That same night, we had his first spinal MRI and then a day later the brain MRI. Both tests confirmed MS. Turns out he has many lesions in his spine that were causing the back issues. No medications or treatments ever really did anything for him, but I was actually able to cure my son’s MS after countless hours of online research and trial & error. What worked for him was MS herbal remedy I purchased from Best Health Herbal Centre. He only used the MS herbal remedy for five weeks. Curing my son’s MS has completely transformed his life and I am so grateful for my success all thanks to Best Health Herbal Centre…..For more information visit their website
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RICO MURRY · February 28, 2018 at 2:41 am
My first symptom of MS was when I was 16 years old. The main symptom was about 30 years later when I went blind. I had many symptoms through my life, but wasn’t tested for MS until the blindness. I’ve had problems with fatigue and balance. Thank God for leading me to BEST HEALTH HERBAL CENTRE, please don’t ignore this post is real. Best Health Herbal Centre MS herbal remedy cured me totally within 6 weeks of usage only. No side effect, it works like a miracle..
RICO SETH · March 16, 2018 at 1:42 am
HERBAL FORMULA
My first symptom of MS was when I was 16 years old. The main symptom was about 30 years later when I went blind. I had many symptoms through my life, but wasn’t tested for MS until the blindness. I’ve had problems with fatigue and balance. Thank God for leading me to BEST HEALTH HERBAL CENTRE, please don’t ignore this post is real. Best Health Herbal Centre MS herbal remedy cured me totally within 6 weeks of usage only. No side effect, it works like a miracle, please viewers out there that have any deadly disease, please don’t fail contact Best Health Herbal Centre
INNOCENT (@INNOCEN61132542) · May 28, 2018 at 4:42 pm
(MS) herbal remedy i purchased from Best Health Herbal Centre January this year. I only used it for a month and two weeks, my condition changed automatically, all my symptoms are gone. Remaining positive have helped me during this treatment. Now am living MS FREE.
Hope this will help somebody, remember, do your own research and make your own decisions based on information you have received and digested. Thanks to Best Health Herbal Centre for their amazing work. Forever Grateful!
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junzina (@junzina) · July 11, 2018 at 4:06 pm
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis MS in 2011 after a 2nd bout with optic neuritis (right eye). Same neurologist/same treatment (Avonex) until just last month i was introduce to Total cure herbal foundation who help me get rid of the MS totally you can search for them on Google! So many other doors are open since seeking a herbal natural formula.I honestly went through over 100 doctors if not more. I suffered what seemed to be a stroke but was told it wasn’t a stroke. I found out through a spinal tap that I had MS..this herbal foundation was my survival; Totalcureherbalfoundation gmailcom
Never give up!
BEST HEALTH · August 7, 2018 at 2:12 pm
BEST HEALTH
I experience several symptoms that come and go after a couple of days. Early this year i lost my eyesight (left eye) and developed weakness in the left side of my body. Eyesight came back but not the left side mobility. Muscles of my left foot are weak, making it hard to walk in a normal heel-toe pattern. As a result, my foot drags on the ground when I walk. Two months ago I ordered two bottles of MS herbal remedy from Best Health Herbal Centre, which I only used for six weeks and the result was extremely marvellous, all symptoms was terminated and my MS was totally reversed. Thanks to Best Health Herbal Centre, I will never stop sharing my testimony till the whole world know about this wonderful MS herbal remedy and Am so happy to see myself living normal life again. Contact Best Health Herbal Centre via ww w .besthealthherbalcentre. co m
Michelle Loucher · October 1, 2018 at 4:05 pm
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in October 2011, at the age of 44. I woke up one morning with numbness in my lower back and legs, I couldn’t feel my feet touching the floor. I saw my doctor and had an MRI to see if I had a disc problem, it was negative and she told me she feared MS. I was sent to a neurologist, had two more MRIs, and was told that night that I have four lesions on my spine MS. I tried every shots available but nothing worked. In 2015, my neurologist and I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to Natural Herbal Gardens natural organic MS Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this treatment, the numbness, terrible back pains, stiffness, body weakness, double vision, depression and others has subsided.
Debbie Spence · November 3, 2020 at 6:13 am
I am a 64 year old female, I was diagnosed of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2008, my symptoms started out with severe fatigue, poor balance, numbness, double vision, heat intolerance and anxiety. I was unable to go back to work, I tried Betaseron for about 6 years. Tried every shot available, all made me sick.In November 2015, I started on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Herbal formula from Mayaka Natural Clinic, the treatment worked incredibly for my MS condition. I used the Mayaka MS Herbal formula for a total time period of 4 months, it totally reversed my Multiple Sclerosis. I had a total decline of all symptoms including vision problems, numbness and others. Sometimes, i totally forget i ever had MS. Visit Mayaka Natural Clinic web-site ww w. mayakanaturalclinic. com. I am very pleased with this treatment. I eat well, sleep well and exercise regularly. My attitude is extremely positive.
Debbie Spence · November 4, 2020 at 1:17 pm
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014 and to say my world came crashing down would be an understatement. My life had always revolved around my horses and my love for competing in showjumping so the future didn’t look bright. My diagnosis took over a year from when I first started having issues. When I was competing, my vision would blur, my muscles would go weak and I would fall off the side of the horse for no reason as soon as my core temperature raised. October last year my neighbour introduced me to Mayaka Natural Clinic and I purchased their MS herbal formula and used it for six weeks. Its been 7 months since I completed the treatment, It has made a tremendous difference for me. all my symptoms including poor vision, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms stopped Visit their website ww w . mayakanaturalclinic .com
Food Spotlight on Multiple Sclerosis – DrBonnie360 presents · December 5, 2018 at 6:43 pm
[…] Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system of people with MS attacks the CNS, damaging the protective myelin sheaths that surround nerve fibers. This damage alters, slows, or stops nerve impulse transmission. Essentially, communications between the brain, spinal cord, and body are disrupted. […]