Throbbing, sharp, and stabbing headaches
were described by close to 50% of all MS patients in this study. Dull pain was reported by 28% of patients, and a tight band or burning feeling occurred in fewer than 20% of patients.
What do multiple sclerosis headaches feel like?
They are usually moderate to severe in intensity, last for longer than four hours if not treated, get worse with activity,
feel throbbing and pulsating or are duller or more stabbing
. The migraine headache is also accompanied by nausea and/or difficulty with light and loud noises.
How long do MS headaches last?
Headaches lasted
between 4 and 72 hr
in 28 patients (56%). Two patients (4%) also reported having
Can MS be mistaken for migraines?
Due to these potential similarities,
a person having migraines may be misdiagnosed with MS
. A 2016 study performed at four academic MS centers looked at records of 110 patients who had been misdiagnosed with MS, some believing they had MS for 20 years or more.
Do you get bad headaches with MS?
Some research suggests an association between MS lesions in the brain and an increased number of
migraines
and/or tension-type headaches. 6 In addition, some people undergoing an acute MS relapse report a headache or migraine being the main symptom.
How do you get rid of MS headaches?
A few examples of medications that can be used to either treat or prevent migraine in people with MS include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
. Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are often the initial treatments for mild migraine attacks. Triptans.
When should you suspect multiple sclerosis?
People should consider the diagnosis of MS if they have one or more of these symptoms:
vision loss in one or both eyes
.
acute paralysis in the legs
or along one side of the body. acute numbness and tingling in a limb.
How can I test myself for MS?
Examples of tests and procedures used to diagnose MS include: A
complete blood count (CBC)
, blood chemistry, urinalysis, and often spinal fluid evaluation (lumbar puncture or “spinal tap”) are all routine laboratory tests used to rule out other conditions and help confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Can you have MS for years and not know it?
“MS is diagnosed most commonly in the ages between 20 and 50. It can occur in children and teens, and those older than 50,” said Smith. “But
it can go unrecognized for years
.” Added Rahn, “The incidence of MS in the United States according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society is over 1 million people.
Does MS cause weight gain?
It's also common for people with
MS to gain weight due to their symptoms
. It's important to try and reach a moderate weight and maintain it. Being overweight or underweight can worsen MS symptoms. Read on to learn how to maintain a moderate weight with MS.
What does MS feel like in the beginning?
Numbness or Tingling
A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation
can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.
What does MS gait look like?
Characteristics of the MS gait pattern
You
may walk more slowly
, with shorter steps. You may lack in confidence when you walk – leading to hesitation and stumbling. You might feel unsteady when turning or walking. You might find placing your foot on the ground difficult.
What does MS tingling feel like?
For some people, the tingling sensations of MS are similar to
those a person experiences when a foot or hand “falls asleep
.” Others report more intense sensations, such as squeezing or burning. It is common for people to report bands of tingling.
What are MS flare ups?
An exacerbation of MS (also known as a relapse, attack or flare-up) is
the occurence new symptoms or the worsening of old symptoms
. It can be very mild, or severe enough to interfere with a person's ability to function.
What can mimic multiple sclerosis?
- Lyme Disease. …
- Migraine. …
- Radiologically Isolated Syndrome. …
- Spondylopathies. …
- Neuropathy. …
- Conversion and Psychogenic Disorders. …
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) …
- Lupus.
Can MS make your head feel weird?
Many people with MS experience
dizziness
, in which you feel light-headed or off-balance, notes the NMSS. A less-common MS symptom is vertigo. When you have vertigo, you feel as though your surroundings are spinning around you, Dr. Kalb says, or that you are spinning.
