People who live with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience a variety of symptoms. These can range from cognitive symptoms to physical symptoms. Here are the symptoms of MS most commonly reported on MyMSTeam.

1. Fatigue

More than 57,000 members of MyMSTeam have reported experiencing MS fatigue. “Fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. So much to do, but just want to sleep,” one member shared.

This kind of fatigue can make it hard to complete daily activities and tasks. “I’m so fatigued,” one member explained. “I don’t know how to manage the fatigue. If I do anything while I am fatigued, the symptoms get worse. But if I do just a little before the fatigue starts, I can’t accomplish enough.”

Fatigue also prevents members from engaging in activities they love. One said, “I’m trying to get used to the fatigue, but I love the outdoors and want to be able to stay outside for hours like I used to!”

2. Weakness

More than 43,000 members reported experiencing physical weakness connected to multiple sclerosis.

Some experienced mostly MS leg weakness. “My legs feel like jelly — other times they feel like they have weights on them,” one member explained.

Another described it a little differently: “My left leg feels like I’m dragging a block of wood around, and my right leg buckles under me.”

Weakness is not always limited to the legs. “My right arm is in a lot of pain and extremely weak,” another member said.

Sometimes, members experience weakness after doing certain demanding activities. As one put it, they were, “Tired and weak after mowing.”

3. Numbness

Numbness is another common symptom of MS that approximately 32,000 members of MyMSTeam report experiencing. Sometimes, numbness comes alongside other sensations. “My fingers get tingly, numb, hot, cold and any other dumb thing possible,” one member said.

Another added, “My stupid hand and fingers have pins and needles and are numb. My feet are numb, numb, numb.”

Sometimes, numbness can change locations over time, like it did for a member who shared, “The whole foot is numb though, along with other weird places that never went numb before.”

Numbness can interfere with daily life, like for the member who said, “Fingers are numb, making it hard to work.”

Many people seek help from a health care provider, like a neurologist, when they experience numbness. Some need new treatment options, too. “Waiting on a callback from the doctor,” a member shared. “My left side is still numb, and my right leg is starting to feel numb from the knee to ankle.”

Another said, “If I get that numb, I call my doctor and get steroids so I can feel again.”

4. Balance Problems

Balance problems are an aspect of MS that more than 31,000 MyMSTeam members experience. Struggling with balance and walking can ruin a day, like it did for the member who said, “Not been the best of days, or I should say the past three days. Balance and coordination are bad.”

In fact, some people get down when they struggle with balance. “My balance and coordination are not great. This disease sucks,” one member lamented.

Some people find a way to make life work, even when they experience balance issues. “First day out of the house for a week, due to relapse,” a member explained. “Balance and coordination shot, but made lunch with friends.”

Others find that it limits them significantly, like the member who shared, “Limited mobility and balance problems, lots of falls, even in the hospital. Poof! Down I go.”

Some people find ways to manage their balance problems. “Going into a pool is magical! It can help with strength, balance, coordination,” one member said to encourage another.

5. Pain

More than 26,000 members have reported pain tied to their MS diagnosis. “Does anyone else have leg pain constantly?” one member asked.

“Pain, pain, pain — status quo,” another shared.

Members may feel pain in any part of the body. One member explained, “I have been living with chronic increasing pain (24/7) in my lower back, which now encompasses my mid-back as well.”

Yet another said, “Unfortunately, I have had intense leg and arm pain for two days. Feels like bone and/or muscle pain. This is something new. Pain meds don’t do much.”

Some people experience pain after taking care of tasks or activities. “I spent some time cleaning patio furniture and swimming in our pool yesterday,” a member said. “Today I’m paying the pain price for that. I knew I would, but informed choice doesn’t make the pain any less.”

Talk With Others Who Understand

At MyMSTeam, you’ll find the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones. On MyMSTeam, more than 214,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms of multiple sclerosis? What is your most common symptom? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.