Do you or someone you care about have MS? MS PathwaysSM is the source for personalized support for BETASERON patients and those considering BETASERON therapy. Take advantage of the many helpful tools offered by MS PathwaysSM, including Injection Reminders to help you maintain the benefits of your medication.
Get a printable doctor-patient discussion guide to help prepare you for speaking with your healthcare professional about choosing a disease-modifying therapy.
MS Symptoms
Recognizing the early signs of MS can be very challenging. Symptoms vary from person to person. They tend to be vague, and can mimic other conditions. Only a qualified healthcare professional can make a proper diagnosis.
If you've experienced any symptoms that are listed below, note carefully what happened and when. This information will help your doctor assess your condition as accurately as possible.
Some of the common symptoms people experience in the early stages of MS include1:
- Vision problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Trouble maintaining balance
- Lapses in memory
- Fatigue or weakness
- Loss of coordination
Symptoms may stay for a few hours or days and then go away. This often leaves patients believing that all is well. However, on-going harm may be silently taking place in your nervous system. The damage caused by MS can cause serious problems later on if left untreated.
MS Diagnosis
Today, doctors rely on a combination of tools to diagnose MS. Before a person can be diagnosed with MS, a doctor—often a neurologist—must thoroughly review all the symptoms that he or she has experienced. Other conditions with symptoms similar to those of MS must be ruled out. There are several tests and methods available today to properly identify and diagnose MS.
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
A widely used rating system for judging the clinical status of people with MS is the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), which measures function in a variety of areas such as balance, touch, vision, bowel/bladder control, and mood. Higher EDSS scores mean more disability.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
For more than 20 years, doctors have used MRIs to assist in diagnosing MS. An MRI looks like an x-ray, but rather than x-rays, magnetic and radio waves are used to produce a picture of the brain or spine. The MRI is used to show the size, location, and development of active lesions.2
The exact relationship between MRI findings and patient's symptoms is not completely understood. But there is a growing body of evidence that parallels changes that appear on MRIs to symptoms appearing later on. In addition to MRI, your healthcare professional may also review your overall medical history, test the speed at which you react to certain stimuli, and examine various body fluids, such as spinal fluid prior to making a clinically definite diagnosis of MS.
Whether you think you may be experiencing the first symptoms of MS or have been diagnosed with MS for some time, taking an active role in your fight against MS is what matters most of all. Staying informed about MS and partnering with your doctor will help you remain in control.
Get the tools you need to talk about MS with your doctor.
References:- 1. National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). MS the disease. Available at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_ABOUT_symptoms Accessed July 2007.
- 2. Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). MS Diagnosis. Available at: http://www.msaa.com/publications/allaboutms/5.html Accessed July 2007.
BETASERON® (Interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety Information
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are lymphopenia, injection-site reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex, headache and pain. Gradual dose titration and use of analgesics during treatment initiation may help reduce flu-like symptoms. BETASERON should be used with caution in patients with depression. Injection-site necrosis has been reported in 4% of patients in controlled trials. Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating injection sites. Female patients should be warned about the potential risk to pregnancy. Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely. See "Warnings," "Precautions," and "Adverse Reactions" sections of full Prescribing Information.
