Can cognitive issues persist after MS recovery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am concerned about my uncle, who was previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and reportedly recovered. Lately, he has been having trouble focusing during conversations and often loses his balance. He struggles with simple tasks and sometimes starts a sentence but forgets what he was saying.

Could these issues be related to his past MS diagnosis?
Can cognitive and behavioral problems persist after recovery?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

Let us explain to you this multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

There are lots of possible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Everyone with the condition is affected differently. Symptoms may come (called flare-ups or relapses) and go (called remissions), and may get worse over time. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Feeling extremely tired (fatigue).
Problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain.
Numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body.
Feeling off balance, dizzy, or clumsy (uncoordinated).
Muscle cramps, spasms, and stiffness.
Problems with memory and concentration.
Erectile problems.

Tests you may have include:

Check on your movement, coordination, vision, balance, and reflexes.
Blood test.
An MRI scan to see if there is damage to the nerves in your brain or spinal cord.
Take a small sample of spinal fluid from your lower back using a needle (lumbar puncture).
Tests that use small sensors attached to your skin to measure how quickly messages from your eyes or ears travel to your brain.

Treatment and support of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS):

Treatments you may have include:

Steroid medicine reduces swelling and helps nerves work better.
Medicines are called disease-modifying therapies to reduce how many relapses you have and how serious they are.
Muscle relaxant medicine to help relieve muscle spasms, cramps, or stiffness.
Medicine to treat pain, vision problems, and other symptoms.

You will also be offered treatment and support for the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Every person's needs will be different depending on their symptoms.

Support you might need may include:

Advice about how to manage tiredness (fatigue).
Physiotherapy and exercises to help with movement problems and muscle pain.
Mobility equipment (including walking sticks, frames, and wheelchairs) and home adaptations (such as stair lifts or railings) to help you with day-to-day activities.
Cognitive behavioral therapy to help with anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Activities to improve your memory, concentration, thinking, and mood (cognitive rehabilitation).
Advice, exercises, and medicines to help with bowel or bladder problems.

I hope I have answered your query.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.