Last Updated on December 11, 2023 by Cathy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, it attacks the myelin (protective coating to the nerves) and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis has many well-known symptoms such as numbness and some less common symptoms.
With MS the damage interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. This is what causes the symptoms. Every person with MS has different symptoms and everyone’s MS progresses differently. One person can have MS for 30 years and still be able to walk while another person with MS is in a wheelchair after 5 years.
Most people with MS are aware of the many common symptoms, numbness/tingling, weakness, spasticity, vision problems, walking difficulties, bladder and/or bowel problems, dizziness, fatigue, and depression.
Keep reading for a free “Symptom Questionnaire.”
Here are some less common multiple sclerosis symptoms that even your doctor or neurologist won’t recognize.
Breathing Problems
Breathing problems in MS, like shortness of breath, are caused by weakness of the respiratory muscles which worsen over time. This can be very tiring, especially for those who already suffer from MS fatigue. Breathing problems can cause difficulties with speech, making it harder to carry on a conversation or to speak loud enough for other people to hear them.
If you suffer from breathing difficulties see your doctor or speech pathologist for some recommended exercises.
Headaches
Headaches usually aren’t a common symptom of MS but studies report that some people with MS are more likely to suffer. Most people who suffer from headaches reach for an aspirin or ibuprofen, unfortunately, these increase the small intestinal permeability and cause inflammation. If you’re trying to heal your gut it’s best to avoid aspirin and ibuprofens also known as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Try a natural approach to relieving a headache:
- Place 2-3 drops of lavender oil in 2-3 cups of boiling water, remove from heat, and inhale the steam (careful not to burn yourself).
- Smelling peppermint oil (from the bottle) opens the sinuses and allow more oxygen into the bloodstream to help headache and migraine sufferer.
- Smell some basil as a muscle relaxant for tension headaches.
- Massaging the temples while your eyes are closed is very relaxing and can help with migraine headaches.
Hearing Loss
This is a rare symptom but it can happen in about 6% of people with MS. It can be a ringing in the ears to a sudden loss of hearing. Because hearing loss is so rare in MS it could be a sign of some other problem, so it’s best to see your doctor or an audiologist.
Itching
Pruritis (itching) is a symptom such as the pins and needles sensation, burning, or stabbing pains. These are neurological sensations that can happen suddenly and can be very intense for brief periods. Because it is neurological and not physical, topical skin creams like corticosteroid ointments won’t help.
Speech Difficulties
Speech difficulties in MS usually involve difficulties with expressing words fluently but for some, it’s more severe making it hard for people to understand or hear the person. Medical speech disorders are called dysarthrias. People with MS may also slur their words, caused by weakness in their tongue, lips, cheeks, and/or mouth.
I have this problem, the last relapse (over 10 years ago) I had I looked as if I had a stroke, the whole left side of my face was numb and paralyzed. Over time most of it cleared up except for the numbness in my mouth, mainly my tongue, which makes it hard for me to form some of my words correctly.
I also notice when I’m extremely tired my thought process is slowed and I have difficulties forming and saying the right words. This is usually temporary and all I need to do is get more sleep!
Swallowing Difficulties
Also known as dysphagia, this is more common in people with more advanced stages of MS but it can happen during any stage. This is another symptom I have experienced, rarely but it has happened. I remember one time as I was eating I just couldn’t swallow my food for some reason, I wasn’t panicking but I was concerned and wondering what was going on. I figured it had something to do with my mouth being numb, I also suffer from dry mouth from that last exacerbation which can make it hard to swallow.
Sweating
60-80% of people with MS suffer from heat intolerance (Uhthoff’s syndrome) but they are unaware of problems with sweating (thermoregulation). When a healthy person becomes overheated their blood flow and sweating increase which helps them cool off. Damage to the nerves from MS creates greater increases in blood flow to the skin causing impaired sweating. Some people with MS sweat more while others don’t sweat at all.
I discovered this about 15 years ago on an above 100º day and I wasn’t sweating! I tested this out a few times and the results were always the same, I didn’t sweat it didn’t matter how hot it got. I’ve suffered from heat intolerance and always wondered if this was the reason.
Keep reading for a free “Symptom Questionnaire.”
Tremors
Tremors or uncontrollable shaking can occur, it primarily affects the arms but it can happen in any part of the body. Health professionals find this to be one of the most difficult symptoms to treat and can have an emotional impact on people with MS. I had this happen to me once many years ago, I went into a cold swimming pool and my left leg began to shake pretty hard. It didn’t last very long, less than 30 seconds, but it was disturbing to me.
Vertigo
Many people with MS experience balance issues but one less common symptom is vertigo. Vertigo is a feeling as if they or the room is spinning, fortunately, these symptoms respond to the anti-motion sickness medications.
If you are trying to avoid drugs try using a wristband, you can get them at your local drug store or online. When my son was little he would always get motion sickness on trips or just driving across town, we got him a wristband and it really helped him.
Just like the more common symptoms, these may last temporarily or they may be an everyday occurrence. I have personally experienced four of these symptoms listed above (speech and swallowing difficulties, sweating, and tremors), out of those four systems only one is still with me today, that being the numbness in my mouth.
Less Common Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Since starting my new lifestyle change 15 years ago (eating real food, avoiding processed foods, removing toxins, and exercising) the numbness is not as bad as it uses to be. I use to have the sensation that my teeth were floating around in my mouth (that’s gone) and the dryness of my mouth is gone. I can’t remember the last time I experience a tremor or had difficulties with swallowing.
It wasn’t until I started following The Wahls Protocol which is a highly dense nutritional diet and I focused on the foods which include B Vitamins and Omega 3s that I noticed I’m sweating again after 15 years of not sweating! I didn’t mind not sweating but I knew it wasn’t good for my body, so it’s back to wearing deodorant (homemade deodorant).
You may also be interested in reading: 200+ Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis
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Less Common Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
