Symptoms vary, because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions). Fever, hot baths, sun exposure, and stress can trigger or worsen attacks.

It is common for the disease to return (relapse). However, the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission. Because nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord may be damaged, patients with multiple sclerosis can have symptoms in many parts of the body.

Muscle symptoms:

• Loss of balance
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or abnormal sensation in any area
• Problems moving arms or legs
• Problems walking
• Problems with coordination and making small movements
• Tremor in one or more arms or legs
• Weakness in one or more arms or legs

Bowel and bladder symptoms:

• Constipation and stool leakage
• Difficulty beginning to urinate
• Frequent need to urinate
• Strong urge to urinate
• Urine leakage (incontinence)

Eye symptoms:

• Double vision
• Eye discomfort
• Uncontrollable rapid eye movements
• Vision loss (usually affects one eye at a time)

Numbness, tingling, or pain:

• Facial pain
• Painful muscle spasms
• Tingling, crawling, or burning feeling in the arms and legs

Other brain and nerve symptoms:

• Decreased attention span, poor judgment, and memory loss
• Difficulty reasoning and solving problems
• Depression or feelings of sadness
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Hearing loss

Sexual symptoms:

• Problems with erections
• Problems with vaginal lubrication

Speech and swallowing symptoms:

• Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech
• Trouble chewing and swallowing

Fatigue is a common and bothersome symptoms as MS progresses. It is often worse in the late afternoon.

CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects women more than men. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age. If it is seen after age 45, strongly consider looking into heavy metal toxicity. Heavy Metals, from our environment can enter into the body and can be deposited within the Central Nervous System and mimic Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop. The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord.

Medications used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis are taken on a long-term basis, they include:

• Interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, or Rebif), glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), and natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Methotrexate, azathioprine (Imuran), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) may also be used if the above drugs are not working well

Steroids may be used to decrease the severity of attacks. Medications to control symptoms may include:

• Medicines to reduce muscle spasms such as Lioresal (Baclofen), tizanidine (Zanaflex), or a benzodiazepine
• Cholinergic medications to reduce urinary problems
• Antidepressants for mood or behavior symptoms
• Amantadine for fatigue

As with all medication, discussing the potential for side-effects and other complications is warranted before beginning any medication. Understanding what to expect and knowing what new conditions may appear is the best advice before beginning medication.

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. However, there are therapies that may slow the disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain a normal quality of life.

The Alternative Perspective

In roughly 95 % of the cases of people being told the have MS, they actually do not. They have Heavy Metal Toxicity that is affecting their Nervous System and mimicking the symptoms of MS. If the person exhibits heavy metal toxicity, chelation therapy through a Holistic Chiropractor is warranted.

Dr. Huntoon has worked with quite a number of people who have been given the moniker of MS. And everyone of them has demonstrated Heavy Metal Toxicity. Some were willing to accept that and begin treatment, and others were not willing to accept that the Medical Doctor was mistaken.

Understanding the difference between true MS and heavy metal toxicity is prudent before beginning any medication as a treatment for MS, especially if you do not have true MS.

Discuss with Dr. Huntoon if you are suffering with true MS or if you exhibit Heavy Metal Toxicity. This can be determined in the office on your initial visit with Dr. Huntoon. If you do have heavy metals, he can discuss the specifics of what is involved with removing them from your system. The longer you wait and the more medical treatment you receive for MS, that is not really MS, the longer the road back to health will be.

EXPECTATIONS (PROGNOSIS)

The outcome varies, and is hard to predict. Although the disorder is chronic and incurable, life expectancy can be normal or almost normal. Most people with conditions that mimic MS continue to walk and function at work with minimal disability for 20 or more years.

The following typically have the best outlook:

• Females
• People with heavy metal toxicity
• People who were older (more than 45 years) when the disease started
• People with infrequent attacks
• People with a relapsing-remitting pattern
• People who have limited disease on imaging studies

The amount of disability and discomfort depends on:

• How often you have attacks
• How severe they are
• The part of the central nervous system that is affected by each attack

Most people return to normal or near-normal function between attacks. Slowly, there is greater loss of function with less improvement between attacks. Over time, many require a wheelchair to get around and have a more difficult time transferring out of the wheelchair.

Those with a support system are often able to remain in their home.

Complications

• Depression
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty thinking
• Less and less ability to care for self
• Need for indwelling catheter
• Osteoporosis or thinning of the bones
• Pressure sores
• Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
• Urinary tract infections

The following may also be helpful for people with MS:

• Neurologic Relief Centers Technique with information found at www.nrc.md
• Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and support groups
• Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, bed lifts, shower chairs, walkers, and wall bars
• A planned exercise program early in the course of the disorder
• A healthy lifestyle, with good nutrition and enough rest and relaxation
• Avoiding fatigue, stress, temperature extremes, and illness
• Changes in what you eat or drink if there are swallowing problems
• Making changes around the home to prevent falls
• Social workers or other counseling services to help you cope with the disorder and get assistance (such as Meals-on-Wheels)

For more information about living with MS, see: Multiple sclerosis - at home Household changes to ensure safety and ease in moving around the home are often needed.