Managing MS

    Understanding MS treatment types

    Finding the right MS treatment for you

    Treating MS Early

    Discussing treatment with your neurologist

    Cognitive function

    Monitoring the brain in MS

    Monitoring MS Symptoms

    Keeping track of MS

Keeping track of MS

Keeping track of MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms can be unpredictable. You may find that they come and go, but over time they may remain or get worse. Keeping track of any changes in your symptoms can help you and your care team better understand your MS and its impact on your daily life.

    You may experience a wide range of symptoms. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any changes in:

    • Balance and coordination
    • Bladder and bowel function
    • Thinking and memory
    • Hearing
    • Sensitivity to heat
    • Mood and emotions
    • Pain
    • Sexual function
    • Sleep
    • Speech and swallowing
    • Vision
    • Walking difficulties

    You can read more about MS symptoms here.

    Changes can be gradual, so it can be useful to think back to how you were doing months or even a year ago. You might want to ask yourself things like:

    • Have I stopped doing something I used to enjoy?
    • Am I doing fewer things now than I did before?
    • Have I compromised my priorities?
    • Do I need more help?

    You might want to try keeping a diary of symptoms. For example, you could use our voice application, Oto,* to record:

    • When symptoms occur (date and time) and how long they last
    • Any new symptoms
    • Activities that seem connected to symptoms
    • The impact symptoms have and whether they make certain activities difficult

    You can also try asking those close to you if they’ve noticed any changes since they last saw you, and note any observations down in your diary.

    *Just open Google Assistant and say, “Hey Google, talk to MS One to One.”

    No one living with MS should have to settle for less. So if you notice any changes in your symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You can bring a friend or carer along to the appointment to provide support and to help you make sure you discuss everything you were planning to.

Find out more about keeping track of your MS.

    1. Relapse. Available at: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/relapse. Last accessed: December 2017.
    2. Diary of symptoms. Available at: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/diary-symptoms. Last accessed: December 2017.
    3. Symptoms. Available at: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/understanding-ms/ms-symptoms-and-treatments/symptoms. Last accessed: December 2017.
    4. Brain health: Time matters in multiple sclerosis. Available at: https://www.msbrainhealth.org/report. Last accessed: December 2017.
    5. Making the most of appointments. Available at: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/making-most-appointments. Last accessed: December 2017. 

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