Multiple Sclerosis Care

Comprehensive Care for Multiple Sclerosis at Mass General

At the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our team offers advanced diagnostic services, personalized treatment plans, and access to care that is shaped by the latest research and discoveries.

As a world leader in MS research, we are actively developing and testing new therapies and leading clinical trials, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for MS.

Multiple sclerosis care at Mass General is fully collaborative. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with you and your loved ones to track your progress and adapt your treatment plan to meet your personal goals. Depending on your needs, your care team may include physical and occupational therapists, nurses, neuro-ophthalmologists, urologists, social workers, psychologists, and others.

We focus on helping you manage your symptoms and support your ability to live independently and actively.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

MS is a long-term neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic (eye) nerves. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks a fatty substance called myelin, which surrounds your nerves and sends signals between your brain and body.

When myelin is damaged, these signals slow down or get blocked completely. This can lead to symptoms such as vision loss, difficulty with balance, and muscle weakness.

MS affects nearly 1 million people in the United States every year, and studies show that women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men.

What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Symptoms of MS vary from person to person. The most common early signs of MS are vision problems (blurred or double vision) and dizziness and vertigo.

Other common symptoms include:

• Trouble walking
• Feeling tired
• Muscle weakness, spasms, and tremors
• Blurred or double vision
• Numbness and tingling
• Sexual problems
• Oral health problems, including MS tongue, swallowing problems, and dry mouth
• Poor bladder or bowel control
• Pain
• Depression
• Difficulty with memory or focus

If you have been diagnosed with MS, early treatment can help slow disease progression and prevent long-term nerve damage.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

The exact cause of MS is unknown, but several risk factors may increase your chances of developing it:

• A history of Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Genetic predisposition
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Smoking
• Autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease

How Is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

MS symptoms can be similar to those of other nerve disorders, so seeing a specialist experienced in diagnosing MS is critical.

Diagnosis often requires a combination of tests and clinical evaluation. Your neurologist may order blood tests, conduct an MRI of the brain or spinal cord, or use a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to examine spinal fluid.

What kind of doctor treats MS?

Multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed by a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the brain and nervous system.

How Is Multiple Sclerosis Treated?

There are many effective MS treatments that can help reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve your quality of life.

Treatment options can include:

• Disease-modifying therapies such as oral medications, infusions into a vein, and injections into your skin to delay progression and prevent symptoms from flaring up (inflammatory relapse)
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Medications to manage specific symptoms such as pain, vision changes, etc.

With the right care, many people with MS lead full and active lives, including working, raising families, traveling, and more.

Other Specialists

• Christina Flynn, RN

  • Nurse
• Katie Ryan

  • Patient Services Coordinator
• Shamwattie Shivraj

  Patient Services Coordinator

Frequently Asked Questions

Call 857-678-1502 to speak with our MS care team.