Multiple sclerosis generates fear in patients who suffer from it due to different factors, but ignorance of the cause that causes it and not having a definitive cure are the main points of anguish.
It is considered a degenerative, chronic and autoimmune disease of the nervous system. Although the cause is unknown, the most current studies indicate that it is a double origin of genetic susceptibility associated with environmental factors.
In Multiple Sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin, a substance that covers nerve fibers or neurons, causing their deterioration and inflammation. We can summarize that it mainly affects the brain and spinal cord.
Did you know that the first documented case of Multiple Sclerosis is the one described by Sir Augustus Frederick d’Este, a relative of the British royal family?
In Spain we have more than 55,000 affected by this disease and we must also highlight that there are different types of Multiple Sclerosis:
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Primary progressive multiple sclerosis that affects 15% of people at the time of diagnosis. It is the least common but the progression of symptoms is progressive over time, without the appearance of outbreaks.
The tendency of its diagnosis is in elderly patients, and it usually affects women and men equally. This type of multiple sclerosis causes less brain damage and inflammation, but causes more disability.
The most common disabling symptoms include difficulty walking, leg weakness, muscle stiffness, pins and needles, poor balance, fatigue, dizziness, vision disturbances, and memory and attention problems.
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Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis which is the most common, affecting 85% of people at the time of diagnosis.
It is characterized by outbreaks that cause symptoms such as memory loss, lack of balance, vision problems, fatigue or spasticity. These outbreaks can last for days, weeks, or even months.
It is difficult to predict the number and severity of relapses throughout life, although once they have passed, most of the usual functions are recovered, but neurological sequelae may remain.
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Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis that affects about 50% of patients.
The peculiarity of this type of multiple sclerosis is that the symptoms of the disease worsen in periods when there are no outbreaks. Disability also progresses in periods of stability.
What happens to people with multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis has a wide variety of symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be very different between people and also vary depending on the type of multiple sclerosis you have.
The type of symptom and the evolution of the person will depend on the location of the lesions and the type of multiple sclerosis. Each case is unique and the prognosis will be marked by the damaged area and the recovery capacity of the patient’s body.
Although the symptoms may be similar, we have to differentiate between relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and the more progressive forms.
Symptoms that may appear during flare-ups in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis:
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Vision problems such as blurred or double vision and even pain with eye movements
- limb weakness
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Tingling or numbness in the arms, legs, trunk of the body, or face
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Pain
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balance problems
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Incontinence.
If we talk about the most progressive multiple sclerosis, the most common symptoms are:
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Vision problems
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sensitivity issues
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swallowing problems
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spasticity
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balance problems
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Communication problems
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Stress and depression problems
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Extreme tiredness or fatigue
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Pain
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incontinence problems
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sexual disorders
The aforementioned symptoms, and especially those related to motor strength or walking skills, appear progressively. As we have mentioned before, each person has a different evolution and does not have to live with all the symptoms mentioned.
What fears does the person with multiple sclerosis have?
A very subjective question but one that we can certainly focus on because fears are usually doubts, uncertainty and the unease that you feel when facing an illness.
Know that it is a degenerative, autoimmune disease that can become disabling. But fear does not only come at the time of diagnosis, Miguel López Abenoza, multiple sclerosis patient and vice president of the FFPaciente Association comments that “ a person who has been diagnosed for a while and lives with it, may be afraid of not being able to reach the expectations that arises in his life, not being able to continue studying. Having to quit your job or rethink having children”
Another of the fears associated with the disease, according to Miguel, is linked to loneliness “being alone, not having the support of your family, being alone, without a partner and even without friends are many things that can go through your head”
Fear at a cognitive level is one of the most worrying since you can lose the ability to understand, speak, remember, concentrate and many other things that surround the entire political spectrum.
All people who live with a diagnosis such as multiple sclerosis require a psychological approach. The psychological part is fundamental. And as a general rule, the vast majority of multidisciplinary teams do not have Psychology teams and for a recent diagnosis it is essential, just as it is when suffering outbreaks of the disease.
A pending subject by the National Health System, psychologists for all chronic patients that would improve coping and reduce the fear that is associated with the pathology.
Bibliographic references
GAEM Foundation. 2022. What are Multiple Sclerosis and Optic Neuromyelitis? https://fundaciongaem.org/affectados/#que-son
Multiple Sclerosis in Spain. 2022. Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. https://multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-daUBhCIARIsALbkjSYXaLYKgG5u3jYUKaWvG-7Hjs2ZUFB6PDredVzdiS7RuL5rt6FEAngaAmIzEALw_wcB
Martinez-Altarriba, MC, Ramos-Campoy, O., Luna-Calcaño, IM, & Arrieta-Antón, E. (2015). Review of multiple sclerosis (2). Diagnosis and treatment. SEMERGEN-Family Medicine, 41(6), 324-328.
Porras-Betancourt, M., Núñez-Orozco, L., Plascencia-Álvarez, NI, Quiñones-Aguilar, S., & Sauri-Suárez, S. (2007). Multiple sclerosis. Rev Mex Neuroci, 8(1), 57-66.
