Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can bring many changes to your life. But personalized care from a trusted program makes them more manageable. The expertise and unwavering support patients receive at Henry Ford Health has earned our program national recognition for MS care.

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis happens when the immune system attacks the protective outer layer of nerve fibers. These attacks leave scars (lesions) that interfere with the nerves’ ability to communicate within the brain and other body areas.

People with MS often experience periods of:

• Relapse: Attacks last at least 24 hours and cause new or worsening MS symptoms.
• Remission: MS symptoms either go away entirely or are less intense.

MS symptoms

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include:

• Difficulty with coordination and balance
• Fatigue (unusual tiredness)
• Numbness or muscle weakness in the arms and legs
• Problems with concentration, memory and judgment
• Uncontrollable shakiness (tremors)
• Vertigo, which can make you feel as if the room is spinning
• Vision problems, including double vision

Types of multiple sclerosis

There are four types of multiple sclerosis:

1. Clinically isolated syndrome is the first episode of MS symptoms lasting at least 24 hours. More than one episode may be a sign of MS.
2. Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) causes unpredictable periods of relapse and remission.
3. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) brings progressive worsening of neurological symptoms and affects your quality of life. Relapses can happen with SPMS.
4. Primary progressive MS (PPMS) causes steady symptom progression with no periods of remission.

Multiple sclerosis care at Henry Ford: Why choose us?

MS treatment requires services from multiple specialists. At Henry Ford, many of them are available in one location. Eligible patients can see a neurologist, physical therapist and occupational therapist in one visit on a monthly basis.

Our commitment to high care standards and excellent outcomes has earned our Center for Comprehensive MS Care recognition from the National MS Society.

Multiple sclerosis evaluation

MS evaluation at Henry Ford starts with you describing your MS symptoms and when they started. We also perform a neurologic exam to assess muscle strength, coordination, sensation and reflexes.

We then determine other types of testing you may need, which may include:

• Blood tests to rule out other conditions, such as other inflammatory disorders and infections
• Evoked potential studies in our electromyography (EMG) lab to measure how nerves respond to gentle electrical pulses
• Imaging studies, including MRI, help us pinpoint and assess nerve damage
• Lumbar puncture, which analyzes a sample of spinal fluid for proteins typically present in people with MS
• Optical coherence tomography to capture detailed images of nerves behind your eye and check for damage that can affect your vision

MS treatment

The treatment that’s right for you depends on the type of MS and how it affects your daily life. Your care may include:

Medications for multiple sclerosis

There are many types of MS medications. They reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and decrease accumulation of new lesions, slowing down disease progression. Our participation in national and international clinical trials gives you access to innovative options years before they become widely available.

For MS relapse, timely treatment with a high dose of steroids can help you feel better sooner. We deliver these drugs through a vein in your arm in our infusion centers at locations around the Detroit metro area. Same-day infusions are often available and can help you avoid a trip to the hospital.

Other MS treatments

You may also benefit from:

• Lifestyle recommendations: A healthy lifestyle can help you feel your best while in remission and may improve relapse recovery. Recommendations often include getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet and staying physically active.
• Neurorehabilitation: We guide you through exercises to maintain muscle strength and coordination. As multiple sclerosis progresses, therapists teach you new methods for safely performing daily tasks, like bathing and getting dressed. Find out more about neurorehabilitation.

Care for MS complications

Our extended team includes specialists who prevent, manage and treat MS complications:

• Behavioral health providers deliver personalized treatment for depression.
• Memory care specialists address issues affecting cognitive function.
• Neuro-ophthalmologists provide periodic monitoring and timely treatment for optic nerve scarring.
• Occupational therapists run a wheelchair clinic where we ensure the right chair for your needs and a comfortable fit.
• Pain medicine specialists deliver advanced therapies for unusually stiff muscles (spasticity).
• Urologists and gastroenterologists treat bladder and bowel issues.

Contact us

Learn more about multiple sclerosis care. Call us at (800) 436-7936 or request an appointment.