You are here: Home
» Disabling Conditions
» Multiple Sclerosis
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) vary widely, depending on the areas of the central nervous system that are affected. No two people experience exactly the same symptoms. Vision loss, coordination, numbness or tingling in the limbs, burning sensations, fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, tremors, and depression are all common symptoms.
The disease can be episodic with periods of recovery between relapses, or it can become progressively worse.
Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been struggling with MS for sometime, we highly recommend you visit their website. You can never have too much support.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. MS destroys myelin, which acts as a protective layer of insulation around nerve tissue. Like a frayed electrical cord, the loss of the protective layer of myelin disrupts your body's ability to send and receive electrical impulses. Messages moving to and from the brain and through the spinal cord to other parts of the body are interrupted, faulty, or stopped altogether.The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) vary widely, depending on the areas of the central nervous system that are affected. No two people experience exactly the same symptoms. Vision loss, coordination, numbness or tingling in the limbs, burning sensations, fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, tremors, and depression are all common symptoms.
The disease can be episodic with periods of recovery between relapses, or it can become progressively worse.
Multiple Sclerosis and Social Security Disability
Obtaining disability benefits from Social Security on the basis of multiple sclerosis can be challenging for a number of reasons:- The symptoms can wax and wane.
- The symptoms can be caused by many different conditions.
- Joint swelling and tissue damage
- The disease often strikes people in their 20's and 30's and the SSA tends to closely scrutinize applications from younger people.
Document your Disability
We encourage people with multiple sclerosis to keep a journal of their symptoms and to be very careful to document the side effects of any medications they take. Even if medications improve your overall symptoms, documentation of the side effects can contribute to the success of an MS disability claim.Multiple Sclerosis Resources
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has put together some excellent resources discussing filing for Social Security Disability including a guide summarizing best practices when filing for Social Security Disability and an article by Lissa Poirot discussing some of the difficulties of filing for Social Security Disability.Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been struggling with MS for sometime, we highly recommend you visit their website. You can never have too much support.