How early in life do symptoms start? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

marion06095 · 06-16-2005, 10:51 AM

How early in life do symptoms start? I remember when I was in grammar school, in the space of four or five years I had a number of stiff neck episodes. I don’t mean “ouch, it hurts when I turn my head” type stiff necks. I mean the “ear to the shoulder” type of stiff neck with really major pain in the neck, shoulder, and down one arm. It would last for three or four days, and I was completely incapacitated during that time. I haven’t had one of those in many years, but I do clearly remember the searing pain. Could I have been having MS symptoms back that far?

Jewel2 · 06-16-2005, 11:34 AM

My daughter was diagnosed at age 19. After she realized certain things were MS related, she could think back to times when she was about 12 that she had mild symptoms. I remember her saying things like, "My back is all tingly", but there was no reason to think it was something so serious. Hindsight is much closer to 20/20 than seeing things in the present.

KelliD · 06-16-2005, 11:55 AM

I think the onset varies from person to person, and I believe (personally) that medical science is going to find it needs to revise and correct its previous findings. I was diagnosed at age 41. I am aware of definite MS symptoms as early as 11 years ago, at age 31....and remember as young as the age of 5 having severe headaches and other possibly MS-related issues. So...there really is no pat answer to your question...

djpihavems · 06-29-2005, 10:18 AM

i was diagnosed in high school, and can remember symptoms of optic neuritis from first or second grade.