Identifying signs of MS progression
Talk to your doctor about your observations and address any open questions. Regular medical check-ups and open communication can help prevent the progression of the disease by adapting the treatment to your needs.
Are your MS symptoms changing?
If the number of relapses decreases and yet you experience a slow but gradual worsening of symptoms, your MS might transition from a relapsing-remitting form (RRMS) to a secondary progressive MS (SPMS). You should pay attention to the worsening or the appearance of symptoms such as:
Cognitive changes
Do you forget things often? Do you find it difficult to concentrate, or can you only do so for a short time?
Do you have trouble finding the right words or do you have difficulty speaking?
Does it take longer to process information? Do you find it difficult to perform several tasks at once?
Physical changes
Do you walk slower or can you only walk short distances? Do you have difficulties with your balance?
Do you have a tingling feeling or sensory disorder? Do you have problems with your fine motor skills?
Do you need to go to the bathroom more often? Do you suffer from incontinence?
Psychological changes
Do you feel tired or exhausted more often than usually?
Do you suffer from ongoing lack of motivation or depression?
Have you noticed any changes in your sex life?
Ask your doctor the right questions and give them essential information
If your multiple sclerosis progresses and existing symptoms worsen or new ones appear, contact your neurologist. Although smaller lesions in the brain (micro-lesions) cannot be detected by MRI, there are a number of neurological tests available. They involve testing the capabilities of the brain and CNS by means of physical exercises or intellectual tasks. If the results worsen measurably and persistently, these are signs of MS progression.
Also, how you feel is very important to your doctor. To help you prepare well for your next checkup, fill out Your MS Questionnaire. and discuss it with your doctor. You can use this questionnaire, for example, every six months to get an idea of your situation and to notice a progression of MS over time.
Tell your doctor if your MS progresses and if existing symptoms worsen or new ones appear. Only then will it be possible to optimise the treatment in time.
Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, https://www.multiplesklerose.ch/fr/ (last accessed 26.04.2024).
AMSEL e. V. Deutscher Verband für MS-Betroffene www.amsel.de (in German, last accessed 26.04.2024).
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research#whatisMS (last accessed 26.04.2024).
MS Trust https://mstrust.org.uk/ (last accessed 26.04.2024).