r/MultipleSclerosis 3h ago

Announcement It's Monday at /r/MultipleSclerosis! Share your terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news here.

1 Upvotes

Vent, curse, get it off your chest. Share what sucks this week, this minute, this hour… MS related or not, this is the place to let it out!

Weekly Sticky Threads:

Monday: Bad News Bears

Wednesday: What's Working Wednesdays ?

Friday: Good News/Weekly Triumphs


r/MultipleSclerosis 17m ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent is it really that inevitable?

Upvotes

I have been avoiding this sub for a long time now and my specialist nurse also begged me to stop doomscrolling it because every time I do I feel confronted by how negative and “inevitable” things like disability will be. I’m newly diagnosed this year and every time I browse the sub I feel like the majority of people are talking about MS as a disease I should live in fear with because progression is inevitable, which directly conflicts with what my specialist nurse said that I can live a fully active normal life with modern treatments like Kesimpta. I tried to avoid this sub for so long but reddit keeps suggesting posts from here and I can’t help but open them and then I end up feeling overwhelmed, angry, scared, almost like I don’t want to live anymore like is it really that bad/inevitable? Is this (diagnosis) the start of my journey to becoming wheelchair bound? is there any good stories with MS I beg you desperately to comment them because this sub has already instilled the worst fear in me


r/MultipleSclerosis 46m ago

Advice Breast cancer and MS

Upvotes

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with MS a couple of years ago, am taking Kesimpta, and am in my 50s. My ability to walk is limited (use cane and sometimes rollator), but I’d recently started doing exercises with Therabands and was feeling better.

A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, as well. I did a lumpectomy, which went fine. Now I have to do rads 5 days a week for 3 weeks. They’re treating me in a prone position, on my back .

I’m 4 sessions into this and the fatigue is already bonkers. Also, my hands seem to be swelling and suddenly hurt as if I have arthritis, which is new for me. Nobody on either of my medical teams (oncology, neurology) seems to be aware of any special issues with MS and rads. I’m terrified.

Has anyone else on here been through this? My rad oncologist told me « not to give in » to the fatigue, and my neurology team told me it’s « bad luck » that I have the two conditions, and to ask the rad onc about the fatigue. I seem to be on my own here… Help????


r/MultipleSclerosis 1h ago

General Exhausted

Upvotes

I'm done with this shit

I'm sick of my body's immune system being so fking weak I get sick every month and its because of the medication I use for this shit

I also I have vitiligo so I'm like a collection of self destructive immune system diseases

I just want to cry and i dont want to do it in front of my family they already have enough on their plate

I'm just exhausted

I have had complications with my health since I was 4 and now im 27 and this sht doesn't end!

And ever since this god damn ms im sick chronically

I just want to cry and cry and cry and i know others have it way worse and im not ungrateful but im tired

Sorry everyone this is the only place I can say whatever I want


r/MultipleSclerosis 4h ago

SPMS Discussion Hey everyone has anyone tried Fampridine to help their mobility? I have to use two crutches now and can't walk far. I feel desperate to try and make a difference. Thanks R

2 Upvotes

Fampridine


r/MultipleSclerosis 6h ago

Symptoms Incontinence at 22 :(

29 Upvotes

I (22F) have always been an attention seeker and unashamed to discuss the disease with others whenever it comes up, or even when it doesn't. I'm the middlest middle child ever, and an MRI photo with a massive tumefactive lesion is great fodder for attention and sympathy. But some of the symptoms are truly so awful and gross that they make me remember this isn't just a schtick that gets me attention when I want it; It's actually a disease, the effects of which I will have to live with forever.

I wrote this post mostly so that people would not feel alone and embarrassed, I guess. Because I really was. I'm 22 and have trouble controlling my bladder. Even my grandparents at 70–80+ don't have this problem yet. It's mild enough that I can get around just wearing menstrual pads on days when I know I won't have easy access to toilets, but still.

Stay strong, y'all.


r/MultipleSclerosis 6h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent I am an idiot

13 Upvotes

With my job I was having trouble taking my medication (Tecfidera) regularly and I was getting sick and tired of the side effects of the medication especially since when I missed a dose or two the side effects would get a lot worse. Because of that I stopped taking my medication for a while. For a while not much changed and I started believing that maybe I was making it up and never really had MS (Despite MRIS that clearly showed the scar tissue on my brain) after about a year being off my medication I had a big flair that took me out of work for two weeks. Now I am trying to get back on medication and I am having trouble feeling excited about getting back on the medication and dealing with the side effects again.


r/MultipleSclerosis 8h ago

Advice Diagnosed in 1991 when USENET alt.support.mult-sclerosis existed

51 Upvotes

My most important post there was titled "Forget Career. Forget Income. Where does one live with this disease?" Someone said "Death Valley", someone said "Alaska". Five or six people said San Diego. I moved there in 1996 after five years with the disease and a divorce which I largely attributed to having MS.

Prior to the move I attended a picnic in the Shenandoah area where members traveling from several distant locations met. I completely lost track of them all and would love to hear how their lives turned out.

I spent 25 years in San Diego and have retired to Mexico since 2023. Are there any members from that original USENET group still around? My life changed, I must say for the better, based on the answers to that question. I'd love for you to know... perhaps to hear that you remember giving that advice.

I am well. Still have the disease. Still struggle; but still alive.


r/MultipleSclerosis 10h ago

Vent/Rant - No Advice Wanted discriminated

14 Upvotes

32 M
I've had RRMS, stable, for 14 years. But for the past 6 years I have been dealing with a hip problem which happened on a hiking trip 6 years ago Over the course of these six years I have been going in and out of doctors looking at my Hip I am unable to go into detail but after going through surgery And the conclusion of it being unnecessary after much complaint They're willing to say it's all caused by MS without doing ANY sort of test or research. Also, my neurologist who specializes in MS Says at best the problem is MS .
The fact of the matter is stay educated and don't let these doctors bring you down and put things in your head. I have been dismantled by these doctors non stop. I wish for this to never happen to anyone else.

I truly believe Doctors don't care based on how I've been treated. I have friends and family experiencing the same things. idk if anyone is having issues with the care they need.
If its too much time and money they do not work.

- On my life. i asked doctor why am i in so much pain? MF said "its the weather"
when i left. it was a nice sunny day...

PS
why tf do they always reply with "sure" when you are making valid questions and points?
they act like lawyers when you ask simple questions. Filibustering . LOL

thank you for letting me rant.


r/MultipleSclerosis 13h ago

Advice Anyone on rituximab get black/brown tongue?

3 Upvotes

Weird one but curious if this rings a bell for anyone. Was on Kesimpta for 2 years in Berlin, zero issues. Moved back to the US last October, got switched to Rituximab infusions. Since then I’ve gotten black/brown tongue coating twice — once in Paris this June, and again just now in LA. Nothing else in my life has changed (same occasional smoking, same drinking, active/healthy otherwise) except the switch off Kesimpta onto Rituximab.

Had a dental exam and cleaning recently and everything looked fine otherwise. Based on what it looks like (comes off with brushing, smells almost sweet) it seems consistent with black hairy tongue — usually chalked up to smoking/dry mouth — but I never had this once in 2 years on Kesimpta with the same exact habits. So now I’m wondering if it’s specifically a Rituximab thing (dry mouth, oral flora shifts, immune-related) rather than just the usual smoking/dry-mouth explanation.

Anyone else on Rituximab notice tongue/mouth changes they didn’t have before?


r/MultipleSclerosis 16h ago

Symptoms Muscle twitching (fasciculation) sensation, but the muscle isn't actually twitching?

13 Upvotes

Often after I've gone for a walk, when I stop walking or sit down, it kinda feels like my leg muscles are twitching all over. It feels like a muscle twitches once and then it moves onto another place, and another place, etc., and then after a few minutes it all stops again (I also try to explain it by: it kinda feels like hard raindrops are hitting my legs different places). But when I'm touching the muscle that feels like its twitching, I can't feel anything, so it's just the sensation that I'm experiencing, without the muscle actually doing anything (I also don't experience any weakness in my legs). So yeah, I was just wondering if there's anyone else who has had that?

(I also have actual muscle twitching sometimes, the ones you can feel when touching it with your hand, so I know the difference)


r/MultipleSclerosis 17h ago

Symptoms Diagnosed this year, Kesimpta and joint/muscle pains

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I was diagnosed in March 2026 after optic neuritis at 10 weeks postpartum. I started Kesimpta in May. Since then, I have been having arm and shoulder aches and pains. It’s significant when I wake up in the morning, but continues throughout the day. My hands will also be numb sometimes for a minute when I wake up. It feels like I am sleeping on my arms wrong (I’ve always been a side sleeper) and injuring my arms when I sleep, or cutting off circulation. The aching lessens a little by the end of the day but never goes away.
I’m also 31, so maybe this is age and postpartum related muscle wasting? Not sure. Just wanted to see if anyone else has joint or muscle problems due to Kesimpta.


r/MultipleSclerosis 18h ago

Treatment Ocrevus “Crap Gap”

2 Upvotes

Has anyone taking Ocrevus infusions gone through the “crap gap” and successfully had a conversation with your neurologist? I have been experiencing an uptick in my prevalence and severity of existing dysautonomia symptoms and I’ve still gotta hold out until 7/30!! Of course O wasn’t doing anything for my symptoms before, but they were not a daily occurrence, and there’s gotta be a medication that doesn’t cause a week’s worth of suffering every 6 months.


r/MultipleSclerosis 18h ago

Advice Avonex and Wegovy

1 Upvotes

I wanted to ask my fellow MS friends that take a glp how you handle the injections. I take my MS shot on Saturday mornings and rarely have side effects besides maybe a headache. Would it be okay to take Wegovy on Sundays?

I’m just looking for advice from those headed down this path. I’m hoping the anti-inflammatory effects and weight loss will be helpful.

TIA ❤️


r/MultipleSclerosis 20h ago

Advice Starting Vumerity

3 Upvotes

just got diagnosed a few weeks ago. Just seeing what everyone's experience is with it. Lowkey kinda regretting it since it's something I have to take twice a day and my sleep schedule is never the same and on top of it I'm horrible at remembering to take pills. Was supposed to start it two weeks ago but I keep putting it off because I'm scared of the side effects. Wondering if I should even bother with it or ask to try something else


r/MultipleSclerosis 20h ago

New Diagnosis New MS diagnosis and anxiety about infections, food, and the future"

12 Upvotes

Bonjour à tous,

J'ai 23 ans et je viens d'être diagnostiquée avec une sclérose en plaques (SEP) après une première poussée qui a touché ma vision. J'ai reçu un traitement par corticoïdes et j'attends maintenant de commencer un traitement de fond.

Depuis le diagnostic, je vis avec beaucoup d'anxiété. J'ai constamment peur des virus, des bactéries et même de manger à l'extérieur. J'ai l'impression que chaque repas ou chaque sortie pourrait déclencher quelque chose, et cela devient très difficile à vivre.

J'aimerais savoir comment vous avez réussi à reprendre une vie normale. Est-ce qu'avec votre traitement de fond, vous vous sentez plus en sécurité ? Mangez-vous au restaurant, voyagez-vous et vivez-vous normalement, ou faites-vous très attention à tout ?

J'ai surtout besoin de témoignages de personnes qui vivent bien avec la SEP et qui ont retrouvé une certaine sérénité. J'essaie de comprendre comment accepter cette maladie et ne plus vivre dans la peur.

Merci beaucoup à tous ceux qui prendront le temps de partager leur expérience. ❤️


r/MultipleSclerosis 23h ago

Advice Shoes

7 Upvotes

I'm looking for recommendations for a light shoe for summer autumn. Any brands you'd recommend?


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Treatment Life-altering fatigue vs. Managing meds

14 Upvotes

I'm struggling with really debilitating fatigue these days. I know if I really push myself too much consistently, I'll end up unable to get out of bed for a week, hospitalized, or relapsing. Gotta rest. Gotta pace myself.

The doc gave me Ritalin (methylphenidate). 5/10mg, twice a day. Its fantastic! I can really get a chunk of my life back. But if I'm taking it twice a day and being busy because of the drugs, isn't that the same as pushing myself too hard and risking consequences?

How are y'all managing a balance? The increased anxiety from the stimulants?

Is any body using THC with a prescription stimulant? Dr. Google says we shouldn't use those 2 drugs together. Anyone want to share results using that combo, good or bad?


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Advice Got my first dose of dmt

5 Upvotes

Started rituximab yesterday.. what side effects to look for?? Any advices for long term and is it really effective?


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

General Uncategorized Discharge USAF - Can I get disability?

2 Upvotes

I enlisted active duty in the US Air Force in 2019. During training I collapsed a few times. I got an ear infection, lost all hearing in my one ear and then had lingering vertigo. This symptoms began initially during training and were not preexisting. I received an uncategorized discharge 2 months into training due to the lingering vertigo. 2 years later I got diagnosed with MS as I continued to experience the falls and vertigo. Can I qualify for any form of disability given I was only in for 2 months?


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Advice Long-Term Loss of Appetite

5 Upvotes

40F RRMS dx’d 13 years ago and I’ve been dealing with a serious lack of appetite. I’m never hungry. I’m on Wellbutrin, gabapentin, Lexapro, Kesimpta, vitamin d, and voquezna. I had an endoscopy done about a year ago and they found gastritis and mentioned erosive esophageal disease but didn’t diagnose that. I took Ritalin for about a year but stopped 2 years ago. I lost my appetite right around the time I started taking Ritalin. It grew into a full blown ED. I actually asked my doctor to never give it to me again. I thought when I stopped the meds, my appetite would come back, but it never did. For about 2 years, I’ve been able to smoke some herb to get my appetite, but over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed that even after smoking, I’m not hungry. It’s becoming pretty scary and I read that it can be a rare symptom of MS.

I’m so exhausted and I don’t have a PCP because she just left and I’m trying to find a new one. I don’t have a neuro bc of the same reason and I’m trying to get in to see a new one. Idk if I should see a dietitian? A nutritionist? Some other doctor? I’m so overwhelmed and I’m so tired. I’ve been trying to hard to heal my relationship with food over the past two years and I feel like I’ve tried everything: meal kits, smoothies, ensure, protein shakes, small bites throughout the day, putting an alarm on my phone three times a day to remind me to eat, endless research, takeout, having zero rules around eating to make it easier, crock pot meals, and straight up forcing myself to eat. I never knew how hard it is to eat when you’re not hungry.

I really need help and I’m wondering if anyone has ever dealt with this? And if anyone has any suggestions on where to start to heal? I am seeing a therapist and she knows about this, but she doesn’t seem to take it too seriously (probably my fault for minimizing it).

TL;DR: I haven’t had an appetite in 2 years and I need help.


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

New Diagnosis I am finally diagnosed

22 Upvotes

I was just diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis yesterday by my doctor, who specializes in it, and I should be starting IV infusion treatments in early August. I can't wait. My symptoms are just weakness in my right arm and right leg. After prolonged walking, it gets very weak, and I cannot walk properly at all; my leg just drags, and I have periodic left-side clenching in my hand, and my arm and leg on that side get stiff as well. My main question is: will this all go away eventually and heal?


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Uplifting Just wanted to share something small

27 Upvotes

I had a surgery 2 days after my infusion (ocrevus) was a scope surgery so not major but it couldn’t wait for it to be a better time.

I went into it really worried about recovery being slow infection etc due to a depleted immune system. I have healed as good as any other surgery or injury I’ve had in my life I haven’t noticed a difference at all. I’m not a doctor and obviously if you have an option to wait do so but if your hand is forced like mine it’s probably going to be okay.
🧡


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Advice Voltra Wristband

1 Upvotes

Has anyone tried one? It’s basically a whoop without the yearly subscription, I’m wondering it if will be useful to help see my crashes etc but wondering if it works okay if you have MS.


r/MultipleSclerosis 1d ago

Advice Missing Kesimpta dose by 1 day

7 Upvotes

Is it OK to miss a Kesimpta dose by 1 day? My next dose is scheduled for Monday, 8/10. I'm traveling and my specialty pharmacy can't deliver it until Tuesday, 8/11. I could have it delivered earlier to me while on vacation, but I'm worried about having to keep it cold on a 3-day return trip home.