Many people affected with MS can and do experience a full life, including love, marriage, children, work and happiness. Like all chronic illness, the problems are both physical and emotional. The incidence and severity of the symptoms vary enormously from person to person and even from hour to hour. On some occasions, people with MS are, mistakenly, thought to be drunk. Legs or arms may suddenly go into spasms which are often painful and walking may become very difficult, or even impossible, sticks or a wheelchair may be necessary.
Incontinence is often a problem.
The disease is usually characterised by attacks, followed by period of recovery, although every attack tends to leave residual problems. A few people have a more continuously progressive course of the disease. The unpredictability of the disease means that no knows how or when it is going to strike. Financial and social difficulties may also arise.