What is worst MS symptom

[maximumlite]

I was just wondering what other people thought is the worst MS symptom. For me I think it is the fatigue as for me it seems to be the most debilatating thing that can happen and seems to come out of nowhere and can last forever it seems, as it sucks the life out of you.

[hope32]

The prospect of cognitive symptoms is probably what scares me the most--though some are certainly more scary than others. I think anything that hinders my independence scares me. Vision changes too.

The worst one I've personally experienced was ataxia, during my first attack; the whole right side of my body became quite uncooperative for 3 weeks. (I hit myself in the head trying to blow-dry my hair, couldn't walk well at all, couldn't slide my foot into a slipper, couldn't write or eat with my right hand, etc.)

[Citlalli]

Worst Symptoms

I guess it's not called multiple for nothing! I've been in a weird, slow-motion doozy of a relapse June, the longest one I've ever had, with symptoms rolling out more or less continually. I've had vertigo before, but this time it lasted longer and combined with imbalance really threw me for a loop (no pun intended), since I was also experiencing foot drop. But now that I've experienced all the fireworks of cramps and pain that come with spasticity, I'm not so sure. The vertigo mercifully abated a few days before the cramps set in. If I was offered a choice and could trade back, I guess I'd keep the pain.
So yes, vertigo would be my worst symptom, because it's incompatible with everything.
I know there are worse things, and I know people here are dealing with so much more than I have.

[MS TOO]

The fatigue is bad, but for me the pain in my right arm every night that interupts my sleep is the worst. I think this makes the fatigue worse as I am tired most of the time from not enough sleep.

[CasinoKathy]

My worse ms symptom is my balance, I should say lack of it. Makes everyday living a nightmare!!

[kebsa]

I agree with the comment that MS is called multiple for a reason and that it does affect us all in so many ways but if i really think about it i would have to agree that fatigue perhaps has the biggest impact overall. i am an electric wheelchair user and also have the balance problems (sometimes its really awful vertigo that makes it impossible to move without vomiting), i have the bowel and bladder problems requiring catheters, central apnea requiring a breathing machine at night but in the background of all of these other problems making them worse/harder to cope with, is the fatigue! I might feel different if there were meds available to try to assist with the fatigue but here in australia there are none that have been approved.
i have found myself in a pattern where one day i can function, go to the shops and take care of daily tasks but then the next day i am so wiped out that its hard to do anything at all. So i would have to say that simply because when the fatigue gets worse it makes all the other issues tougher to manage, as well as there being no treatment/symptom control options, fatigue does lead the field for me- i also have severe chronic pain that i have a spinal catheter and pain pump to help with but on a bad fatigue day the pain is harder to cope with despite my wonderful pump

[Jessica911]

Worst for me

For me it's fatigue and the brain fog!! I have 4 teens and a full time job as a 911 dispatcher, so both really bring me down.

[maev]

worst symptom

I have nerve damage from my left knee down to my foot. I have to wear a foot brace which is huge. I can only wear a wide sneaker. My family is very embarrassed of me because I have to wear sneakers when I get dressed up. That is the worst. Everything else I can handle.

[jazzgirl]

The slow, eventual spiral into disability no matter WHAT I did to prevent it. And I did it all.

[Sir-Voor]

Considering the most common reason MSers stop working is because of fatigue, there no question to it being one of the worst.

One aspect about fatigue that I have a hard time with is that only people that have it can understand it.
No I don’t need more sleep it just feels that way.
No I don’t need to exercise more it just feels that way.
No I’m not exhausted for over doing it, it just feels that way.
No I don’t need more caffeine it just feels that way.
No I ‘m not drunk it just feels that way.
Etc.

Although fatigue is a common bad symptom, I don’t think I’d call it the worst. I know nerve pain is what I fear the most, from my limited understanding its one pain that can’t be blocked out or gotten use to.

[Hawkgirl]

Well, which one are you having now, because that will be the worst! Just kidding.

For me, it was fatigue that put me on disability. The fatigue is disheartening because it makes you feel so worthless and like a burden to society and your family. And it's hard for others to understand, because they get tired too, but it doesn't mean they are disabled. It's hard to explain that sitting upright for an hour or two is so exhausting.

The most painful thing I experience is MS hug. It is unbearable pain. I take so much muscle relaxer and pain meds that I am a zombie a lot of the time.

BUT the thing that scares me most is my vision. If I lose my driver's license, I don't know how I would manage. That is my greatest fear. I was stupid enough to mention on my DL application (when I moved to a new state) that I have MS, so now every year my neuro has to send in paperwork to the state that I am capable of driving a car. Interestingly, when he examines me, he just does my reflexes and strength in my legs and hands, but doesn't test my vision. I consider that pretty lucky.

So remember, kids, you may be a stellar driver, but there are other drivers out there who may be not so great! Seriously, I drive very carefully.

[empirerecs]

I'm with Jazzgirl and I'm not even there yet. Currently, my worst symptom is the cognitive problems, I was fired from my job for it. I was a secretary for 20+ years and I couldn't remember computer functions, how to spell words I've used a zillion times and just plain slowed down. Can't be a speed typist is your hands are doing different things than your brain is. I loved being a typist. I have a hard time now just with the small posts. Oh well, it goes with the territory.

[mgoerke]

For me it is the fatigue and depression. I can't even tell them apart some days. Makes all of the pain and disabilities harder.

[oso49]

As I travel down this crummy MS road I think of all that has happened in the short time I've lived with MS and all that B]MAY[/B] happen in the near and distant future.

The sx, if you want to call it that, of NOT knowing what's next is unbearable. No amount of drugs, alcohol, sleep or reassurance from those in my life gives me comfort.

If I could escape it by hiding in a cave, I would. I'm like a dog that is repeatedly beaten. When the master comes around (in this case the start of an MS episode), I cower and hope there's a swift end to the discomfort to come...damn this disease...

[Waydwnsouth1]

For me I would have to say it is the fatigue and depression. These two can put you in a very dark lonely place. What makes it so bad is nobody, except another MS'er, can possibly understand.

I also have other sx including horrible leg pain but I can handle that. The fatigue and depression just does me in. Just this morning I was dealing with fatigue. It was all I could do to get up and moving. Every chance I had to sit and sink into the sofa I did. I did not think I would ever get to work. Now that I am here all I want to do is just sit. But I guess you do what you have to do.