Over 3 million people around the world live with multiple sclerosis (MS). It’s a complicated condition where the immune system attacks myelin, a protective layer around your nerves that helps brain messages travel quickly and smoothly.

When MS “attacks” happen, they damage the myelin and expose parts of the nerves. This messes up the brain’s signals and can cause parts of the body to not work properly.

Symptoms can include things like vision problems, balance issues, fatigue, weakness, numbness in the limbs, and even trouble with motor skills.
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes MS, but some things might increase the risk, like:

• A family history of MS or autoimmune conditions
• Low vitamin D levels
• Having had glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus)
• Smoking
• Obesity

Symptoms of MS can be unpredictable—they can vary in type, severity, and where in the body they show up. It all depends on which part of the brain, spinal cord, or optic nerve is affected.

Some symptoms are even invisible, which can make MS hard to spot. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for—catching it early can really help!

What are the symptoms of MS?

These are just a few of the symptoms that can pop up with MS. If you’re noticing any of them, it’s a good idea to check in with your GP.

1. MS and Incontinence

Incontinence can sometimes be a sign of MS. That’s because MS can mess with the nerve signals between your brain, bladder, and bowel, which can affect how they work.

For the bladder, it can throw off the coordination between the muscles that store urine (detrusor) and the ones that empty the bladder (sphincter). This might lead to leaks or other issues, like:

• Urge incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Stress incontinence
• Overflow incontinence

For the bowel, it’s kind of the same story. Damaged nerve signals can lead to faecal incontinence. A lot of bowel issues are actually caused by constipation, which can happen if MS slows down bowel movements (especially if mobility is limited). Medications can sometimes make it worse too.

Bowel incontinence might show up as:

• Stool leakage or stains on underwear
• Diarrhoea
• Too much wind

How often and how severe incontinence is varies from person to person. For some, it’s short-term or comes and goes; for others, it’s more of a long-term challenge.

If you are looking for products to help you manage bowel incontinence, see our Invizi Pants or our Invizi Slips. They are designed for both urinary and bowel incontinence.

2. Migraines

Migraines can sometimes be an early sign of MS. They’re often linked to brainstem damage, where MS nerve injuries happen. Swollen optic nerves can also cause intense head and eye pain that feels like a migraine, even if it technically isn’t.

That said, migraines can be caused by all sorts of things, so don’t assume it’s MS just because you get them. If you’re dealing with migraines, it’s worth chatting with your doctor to rule out anything more serious—MS or otherwise.

3. Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo can happen with or without MS, so if they pop up, it’s a good idea to get them checked out.

Dizziness feels like being lightheaded or unsteady.
Vertigo feels like the room is spinning, even when you’re still.

If MS is the cause, it’s usually from lesions in the brain that mess with balance. In fact, about 56% of people with MS have balance issues, which can make falls more likely [1].

4. Memory and Thinking Problems

MS can cause lesions in the brain that mess with memory and thinking. Other things that can make this worse include:

• Stress, anxiety, or depression
• Fatigue
• Infections or illnesses
• Medications

5. Weird Skin Sensations

MS can cause strange feelings in your skin, like:

• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Tingling
• Burning
• Itching
• Tightness

These sensations can happen anywhere—often on the face, arms, legs, or around the genitals. It’s not actual damage to your skin; it’s your nerves sending scrambled signals to your brain.

For example, pins and needles in your hand might just be your brain trying to make sense of the nerve signals coming from your hand.

6. Speech Problems

Some people with MS find their speech gets affected, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. This might include slurred words, a weak-sounding voice, forgetting what you wanted to say, or trouble speaking because of a weak chest.

These are just a handful of MS symptoms, and everyone’s experience is different. Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s plenty of support out there! Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.

How do you get diagnosed with MS?

Since many MS symptoms can overlap with other conditions, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned—whether they’re new or have been sticking around for a while.

If needed, your doctor might refer you to a neurologist for more tests.

And if you’re diagnosed with MS, they’ll work with you to create a management plan tailored to your needs, so you can keep living as comfortably as possible.