Invisible Symptoms of MS: Mood Swings

 

By Devin Garlit

Mood swings with MS

For those with MS, the frequent and almost instant changing of moods is a symptom that no doubt has a profound effect on many relationships. It is a terrible symptom that many don’t even realize is related to their MS. While these constant emotional changes can be hurtful to those we care about the most, they can also be horrifying for us. There are, however, some ways we can battle this invisible symptom.

What is a mood swing exactly?

So what are these mood swings I’m talking about? I think of it as a rapid change in thought and emotion that seems to come on instantly. I can go from super happy to super depressed in the blink of an eye! The worst part of this is that it can seem like there is no reason for it all. Other times, the smallest of things, a commercial, a song, even seeing a certain color, can trigger it. It’s not only a matter of being happy and then depressed, pretty much any set of emotions can pop up. Anger, of course, is one of the scarier and more destructive ones. It’s also not always a positive emotion to a negative one, in can be in reverse too. I’m sure I seem awful when I suddenly get angry about something, anything, and everything, but I probably look just as crazy when I go from very angry to super happy and loving the world. The emotions really are all over the place.

Living with emotional symptoms

Mood swings are a symptom that many people don’t realize can be attributed to MS. I’ve gotten the question many times from upset and frustrated people who finally start to wonder if their rapid and sometimes constant emotional changes are actually MS-related. It seems that this is another area where people don’t stop to think it could be their disease at work.

You can have MS lesions in the area that controls your emotions the same way you can have them in areas that affect your arms or legs. MS can bring about mood swings or even cause pseudobulbar affect (PBA), where you laugh or cry suddenly with seemingly no trigger at all.¹

What else can cause mood swings?

External factors can also lead to mood swings. Living with multiple sclerosis can cause a tremendous amount of pent up frustration, stress, anxiety, pain, and depression. It can be very hard to explain to others what it’s like going to bed each night not knowing if you will be able to walk in the morning. Not to mention the fact that many people lose their employment and even mobility due to the disease. Sometimes, no matter how happy a face you put on, there are still lingering concerns in the back of your mind, whether you realize it or not. If you don’t confront these thoughts, they can bubble to the surface at inappropriate times.

The impact on our relationships

Whether they are caused by the disease itself or the effects of having the disease, sudden mood swings can be a living hell. It’s bad enough that many of us are in pain much of the time, but sudden mood swings have the awful effect of causing pain in the ones we love. I know I personally have had many relationships ruined by the sudden outburst of emotion caused by my mood swings. The worst part of that for me, is that when I have these outbursts, I know that it’s not me. That’s not the real me that’s angry or sad. It just happens and I end up feeling tremendous regret at the ways I’ve acted or about the things I’ve said. You begin to feel like a bad person. I know that it makes people think of me as being a different person then I really am. That would take a toll on anyone.

Varying experiences

Like most multiple sclerosis symptoms, the level of severity can vary greatly from person to person, and even day to day for a particular person. I have days where I feel fine and notice no differences. I have others where I’m sure it seems I’m near bipolar. All of the normal MS triggers, like stress, temperature, humidity, and fatigue can play into the variance, frequency, and severity of my mood swings.

What can we do about it?

So what can we do? Well, first off, if you are experiencing mood swings, you should mention it to your neurologist. I also think it’s important to talk to your family and friends about it. You may not even realize that you are having mood swings. In my case, I talk with my wife about everything. That doesn’t always make it easier, but just being mindful that it’s an issue has seemed to help me (at least some of the time). It’s not using it as an excuse, it’s informing people. It’s ok to say “hey, I have this problem related to my MS.” It may sound like a convenient excuse to them, but that’s when you have the opportunity to share information with them and to show them that this is a real issue. It’s also important to consider talking to a mental health professional. They can help provide you with strategies on coping with your emotional issues. With everything on our plate, whether you have mood swings or not, just in general, it can be sound advice to talk to one about your MS.

One of many invisible symptoms

The one goal I had with this article was to bring up just one of the many invisible symptoms those of us with multiple sclerosis may deal with. I feel that symptoms like mood swings are not spoken about enough. There are many aspects of the disease that are not well understood by some neurologists, let alone the general public. So if anything, I hope to trigger conversation and the sharing of information about these issues. If we work together, as a community, to talk about and share our issues and ways to combat them, we can beat this disease!

Give Yourself Permission to Rest

 

 By Alene L. Brennan, RYT

Last Updated: January 28, 2026

 

I grew up in a house where we always had to stay "busy." Looking back, I guess it kept us out of trouble as kids. So, it served a purpose then. But, no I’m a 45-year-old woman living with MS and raising a toddler. I have to unlearn that “keep busy” mindset. If I don’t it will cost me my health.

Living with MS, rest is part of our healing plan. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

We tell ourselves the lie that we have to earn rest and that there's always more to be done.

What I've learned about rest

Rest isn't something you have to earn after being productive; it’s the very thing that helps you to be productive. Over the years, I’ve had to turn down the noise on thoughts like "but you haven't done enough today," so I could turn up the volume to the truth that reminded me, “your body needs you to rest right now, that’s the priority.”

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.

When your body demands rest, it's not being lazy – it's actively working on healing. My body has a pretty long to-do list when it comes to healing, too. Living with MS, my body is constantly working to reduce inflammation and ideally regulate its immune response.

I think all of this happens most effectively when resting.

So, I remind myself, that afternoon nap isn't a sign of giving up, it's giving my body what it needs to support healing.

Creating a Rest Routine

The planner inside of me very quickly turned this journey into an opportunity to create an official plan. I know that every day with MS is different, but it just felt good that I was putting a plan in place to increase my chances of actually resting more.

  

If you’re thinking about creating your rest routine, here are some things to consider.

• Create a restful environment in your home
• Set boundaries with others about your need for rest
• Learn to recognize early fatigue signals
• Have a rest plan for workdays
• Communicate your needs clearly with family

The Long Game

Think of rest as your long-term stamina strategy. Making rest a part of your regular routine can help you:

Have more stable energy throughout your day. Reduce the depth of energy crashes. Think more clearly. Experience more balanced mood. Save energy for what truly matters

Your Permission

Consider this your official permission slip to rest. To take that nap. To say no to that optional activity. To rest on the couch in the middle of the day. To listen to your body without guilt. Did you catch that last part “without guilt?” If you’re like me, you might need to read that line a couple times, so it really sinks in.

Your Plan

So, the next time you feel guilt creeping in about needing to rest, remember:

Rest is not a reward for being productive – it's a necessary part of living with MS. Listening to your body is an act of wisdom, not weakness. Every moment of rest is supporting your body's healing processes. You don't need to earn the right to take care of yourself.

The Experience and the Explanation: One-Sided MS Symptoms

 

By Editorial Team

Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms have a profound effect on the body. When hands and feet become weak, daily tasks such as eating and brushing teeth may be a struggle. Some people with MS have compromised hearing or vision. Having conversations, reading, and driving require more effort and concentration. These symptoms can be challenging and even painful.

MultipleSclerosis.net community members recently shared their experiences with having symptoms that are worse on one side of the body. Their insight helps give a greater understanding of the MS journey than a clinical explanation can.

The daily impact of MS symptoms

MS symptoms affect the body in different ways. Often, symptoms do not affect both sides of the body equally. One side may feel different from the other. One eye may droop, one leg might drag, and one hand might have a weaker grip. Parts of the body may also feel numb or tingly, with the opposite side feeling stronger.

Numbness and weakness

“My symptoms were numbness and weakness on my left side that caused a spastic hip. It was so tight that I had to swing my weak left leg forward, resulting in a limp and occasional knee buckle. The weakness and numbness in my left hand made it impossible to use a knife to cut my food.”

Tingling ear

“This has been going on intermittently for some months now – periods of one ear turning red and feeling like it's burning. The face near it feels tingly on the cheek and jaw. It feels like it comes on randomly, sometimes with a sense of pressure around and in the ear.”

Hearing and processing information

“I've got one headset. I can consume information through the right ear. If I was to swap that around, I don't understand the conversation very well since my diagnosis. And no one told me that! It's a lot easier for me to have conversations if you're in the right ear. I find it very difficult if the audio for the conversation is through both ears. So, it's almost as if the left ear gets hypersensitive and sometimes kicks off.”

Vision issues plus much more

“For me, it seems that my right side is more affected by MS than my left side. Now, this isn’t completely visual, either. I have that burning/fire feeling on the right side of my lower body and leg.”

“Test results from the ENT determined there were issues with my eye tracking and left ear signal loss.”

Do one-sided symptoms predict future severity?

Typically, when one side of the body experiences symptoms, the opposite side of the brain is damaged. For example, those who experience stroke and have semi-paralysis on the left side of their body sustain damage to the right side of their brain. But in the early stages of MS, it is the opposite. Symptoms occur on the same side as the side of the brain with the most neurons firing.

Over time, the neurons may begin firing more intensely on the opposite side of the brain. This switch in the brain's activity may indicate the beginning of worsening MS. Symptoms may start to get worse or more widespread.

Each body is unique

No two people experience MS in exactly the same way. MS symptoms are unpredictable and can vary from day to day. People can experience symptoms on both sides or just one.

MS is also progressive, which means it worsens and changes over time. Your symptoms may look different than they did a year or 2 ago. Your symptoms may also look different a few years from now.

If your symptoms are changing, visit your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms through a series of neurological tests. These tests examine strength and mobility, particularly in the limbs. Doctors can measure symptom severity through gripping, pulling, pushing, walking, and reflex tests.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity

 

Eating To Feel Better When You Live With MS

By Tamara K Sellman

People with MS routinely talk about the diets they stick to and how the routine improves their lifestyle for therapeutic reasons. I know that I'm consistently asked what kind of MS diet I follow.

But here’s the thing: not everyone goes on a special diet following an MS diagnosis. I didn’t, nor was it encouraged.

What does the research say about the best foods for MS?

First, my neurologist pointed out that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provides no official dietary guidelines for people with MS, despite popular assumptions. In fact, here's a quote directly from the NMSS: “As of 2020, there is no definitive diet that has been scientifically proven to be beneficial in changing the course of MS.”¹

Following her review of my diet at the time of diagnosis, it confirmed that my diet was already pretty healthy. Rarely do I eat fast food or salty or sugary snacks. I’m both a scratch cook and kitchen gardener. By and large, the nature of cooking and eating in our household tends toward unprocessed, “slow” whole food, usually eaten in moderate quantities.

This doesn’t mean I don’t think about what I eat and how it affects me. I was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 30 years ago. I’ve spent a lifetime keeping food diaries to manage it.

How can we support our health while living with MS?

After starting on Tecfidera in June 2013, I discovered my gastrointestinal tract definitely needs to eat certain foods while taking it for both morning and evening doses to defend against extreme cramping and diarrhea. So I included more eggs and peanut butter to make my DMT regimen more comfortable to digest.²

While I don’t actively diet, I do notice how foods make me feel. My personal observations describe the impact food has on my body. I also don’t have food intolerances or allergies. I don’t suggest anyone with MS change their eating habits to mirror mine.

Ultimately, it’s up to us as individuals to decide how we support our health while living with MS. Those decisions may look very different from mine. That’s okay! MS is a snowflake disease; no MS treatment, eating plan, exercise regimen, or other therapeutic approach is going to succeed for every person.

Fruits and veggies of course!

If I’m feeling a little “punk,” I often do a quick review of what I’ve consumed over the last few days. Usually, there’s a repeating pattern of too much meat and too few vegetables. Which is tragic, because I love vegetables! But sometimes the thing you grab for a quick bite doesn’t include these important meal boosters.

I tend to respond well to certain veggies, in particular: broccoli, edamame beans, beets, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, and spinach. Also, one thing I learned from day one following my IBD diagnosis is to follow the “three Fs”: Fluid, fiber, and fitness. Your best way to incorporate fiber into your diet is through your veggies.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also include fresh fruit in this category. Grapes, apples, nectarines, watermelon, pears, pineapple, and oranges serve as favorites that leave me feeling great!

Eggs keep me sunnyside up

If I had to choose one animal protein to eat for the rest of my life, I’d choose the humble egg. I feel energized and sharp-minded after having eggs for breakfast. An afternoon snack of a deviled or hard-boiled egg definitely keeps me going until dinner.

It turns out that, aside from being extremely nutritious, eggs are anti-inflammatory. They also promote brain functions such as memory and processing and provide tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, the “happiness” molecule.³

Soy products make me feel better

Some may disagree, but I think soy doesn’t deserve its suspect reputation. As recently as this year, research continues to show that, in studies of human beings, isoflavones, the key phytoestrogen in legumes, including but not limited to soybeans, do not pose a risk to our health and well-being.⁴

They definitely make me feel better overall. My body digests soy foods like tofu, edamame beans, and other soy-based products far more readily than red meat.

My brain works better if I eat nuts

I often marvel, when I crack open a bag of whole shelled walnuts or pecans, at how much they look like little brains. In their case, the saying “you are what you eat” may ring true.

I eat nuts daily, with my breakfast cereal, for snacking, on salads, stirred into yogurt, or as trail mix. I find that I experience far less brain fog as long as I eat nuts, and research bears out their brain-strengthening benefits.⁵So, what are some foods that have made you feel better across the span of your MS journey?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein.

 

 

Cancer Risks in People with MS

 

A recent study shows people with multiple sclerosis may have a small, increased risk of cancer compared to people without MS. This increased risk is highest for bladder, brain and cervical cancers. It’s critical to understand cancer risk in MS, because many cancers are preventable or treatable, with proper screening.“What we found for the most part is that cancer risk wasn’t different in people with MS than people without MS — particularly for some of those most common cancers — breast cancer, colon rectal cancer and lung cancer,” says Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD. “We did however see some increased risks for a couple of cancers.One was bladder cancer. We also saw more brain cancers but that largely looked like it was some of the more benign cancers you would see in people who are getting a lot more MRIs than everybody else so that was overall fairly reassuring. Then we saw a small signal suggesting ovarian cancer was more common in people with MS.”Marrie co-led the 2020 Canadian study which examined the health records of 53,984 people with MS and 266,920 people without MS across two Canadian provinces.A French study, published in 2024, built on Marrie’s research by using 10 years of records from a French healthcare database to look for associations between rates of cancer and cancer screening in 140,649 people with MS and 562,596 people without MS who were of similar age, sex and residence.This study found people with MS had a 6% increased risk of developing any type of cancer compared to people without MS. Risk varied by cancer type and age:

• People with MS had an increased risk for bladder cancer, brain cancer and cervical cancer.
• People with MS had a lower risk of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
• Cancer risk was higher in people with MS younger than 55 years and decreased in people with MS 65 years and older

Marrie said bladder cancer is what concerns her most for her MS patients — especially those with permanent catheters or those who suffer from frequent infections.“That (increased risk) highlights the importance of trying to do what you can to prevent bladder infections and having regular follow up – especially if you have an in-dwelling catheter, a catheter that remains in your bladder, because you’re unable to empty it out appropriately on your own,” Marrie says. Marrie stresses the importance of keeping up with recommended cancer screenings.

No MRI Change but Worsening MS Symptom

By Devin Garlit

You’ve just had your yearly MRI and there have been no changes, no new or larger lesions; however, you know your condition has worsened since your previous exam.

Understanding worsening MS symptoms but no MRI change

What’s going on? How is that possible? These are common questions and it’s a scenario that many people with multiple sclerosis go through at some point in their life with the disease. While the MRI is a key diagnostic tool for diagnosis and monitoring MS progression, it does not always paint an accurate picture of what’s going on. So let’s talk about some reasons your condition is worsening but your MRI isn’t showing it.This or That

Have you noticed symptom changes but no changes to your MRI before?

• 93%

  Yes
• 6%

  No

Flares can be deceiving

A key fact about MS that a lot of people don’t seem to understand is that the disease causes damage that cannot be undone. The term “relapsing-remitting” often gives people the impression that they will have an exacerbation (aka relapse, aka flare-up) but then return to normal when it’s over. That may often appear to be the case, as inflammation does go down, but irreversible damage has still been done.

The disease caused your immune system to attack and eat away at the lining around your nerves (myelin) which interrupts the way the brain communicates with the rest of your body. The immune system conducts this attack by using inflammation.

Consider previous damage

When an exacerbation is over, the signals may again cross along the damaged nerves with no issue (which will look like everything is back to normal), or they may not. One reason for that is that the inflammation (which also slows these signals) that came along with the exacerbation is now gone.¹

The brain is also very good at working around damaged areas, re-routing signals to use the best path, which is another reason people may seem like they’ve fully recovered. Those damaged areas are still there though, so you may feel like your symptoms are worsening, but there will be no new change on your MRI because it is really just previous damage that is rearing its ugly head.

There is such thing as silent progression

There are many folks with MS that don’t have a lot of noticeable relapses but over a long period of time end up incurring significant levels of disability. This can happen so gradually that the patient may not even notice it at first. This is often referred to as “silent progression” and isn’t marked by noticeable relapses and lesions on an MRI.

Instead of the inflammation that comes with a relapse, it’s thought that the real culprit here is actually brain atrophy. Silent progression is something that is normally noticed in those that have previously been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. Another term you may hear for this is “PIRA”, which stands for progression independent of relapse activity. This type of slow, not always noticeable, progression is something a lot of folks don’t think about. There is a tendency to be wary of relapse-type events when there are other ways this disease can affect you.

Other MRI considerations

If you are still having noticeable issues and your MRI looks normal, you should always ensure that your MRIs are of both your brain and your spine, no matter what your previous history has been. You may have only had lesions in the brain in the past, but suddenly one is in your spine.

Also, make sure the person reading your MRI is experienced enough to know what to look for. My point here is simply to never become complacent in your care. A doctor who may have been skilled enough in your first few years may no longer be able to help you now. Never feel bad about seeking another opinion and advocating for yourself.

Thanks so much for reading and feel free to share! As always, I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

Devin