Downloadable Resources
Learn about MS
Here are 10 strategies to help maximise your healthcare appointments that are not only relevant for people living with MS, but anyone who would like to take control and get more out of their healthcare.
Launched for Women's Health Week 2020.
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This Roadmap sets out what is needed within the next 10 years to ensure that we can prevent and ultimately defeat MS. And we want to ensure that everyone with MS has effective and appropriate management and interventions.
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This Roadmap sets out what is needed within the next 10 years to ensure that we can continue to support people ageing with MS, especially those aged over 65 living with a disability. We want to make sure that everyone with MS has effective and appropriate management, interventions and support.
(Note: Due to the formatting of this PDF, please choose "fit to page" or "fit" when printing.)
(Note: Due to the formatting of this PDF, please choose "fit to page" or "fit" when printing.)
When a child is diagnosed with MS, or MS has been suggested as a possible cause for their symptoms, parents may have many questions: What caused it? How will it affect my child? Can it be cured? What does the future hold? Childhood MS: A guide for parents aims to provide answers to some of these questions.
This work was carried out in partnership between the University of South Australia and MS Australia to develop a more accurate understanding of electricity consumption patterns in MS households, particularly in relation to their need to keep cool to avoid increasing their MS symptoms.
Suitable for primary school aged children and younger. A useful resource that helps explain some of the common symptoms and problems associated with having MS. It also includes activities.
A Report of the key results of a study into the needs of people living with MS, their families and carers.
MS Clinics exist across Australia to provide expertise in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis and many have a range of neurological services available. The list may help you to find the clinic nearest you
MS Australia, on behalf of the broader MS community, seeks commitments from all political parties and independents, to the nine initiatives in these Roadmaps that will each make significant improvements for people living with MS in Australia.
A comprehensive introduction to MS including information about adjusting to diagnosis, medical treatments, living well with MS and research.
A quick-read two-page brochure summarising our 'Understanding MS: An introductory guide' found above.
Wellbeing & MS
Ataxia is a lack of coordination of muscle movements which can appear as clumsiness, unsteady gait, impaired eye and limb movements, speech problems and sometimes dizziness. Its impact varies and depends on which part, and how much, of the nervous system has been damaged by MS.
Problems with gait or difficulty in walking are common symptoms of MS. Gait problems can be due to a number of factors such as muscle weakness, muscle tightness or spasticity and a problem coordinating muscle actions known as ataxia.
About half of people living with MS experience issues with aspects of thinking or ‘cognition’. Typically presenting as poor memory and trouble concentrating, this change is often described as ‘fuzziness’ or ‘brain fog’.
Many people with MS experience some form of bladder or bowel issues. Incontinence is the most common symptom for people with MS - the severity and longevity varies from person to person. With the right information and support, incontinence can be managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Depression is common in MS. Around half of people diagnosed will have a depressive episode - three times higher than for the general population. Identifying depression and seeking early treatment is key. With the right information and support, depression can be managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
To drive safely you need good perception, judgement, responsiveness and reasonable physical capability. As the MS experience (and symptoms) differ for everyone, so too can the impact on driving vary from person to person.
Deciding whether to disclose a diagnosis of MS is not simple. In general, the decision should be based on your own needs and priorities, whilst also taking into account the needs and priorities of those who you choose to tell. There is no single answer or strategy that is right for everyone. It may help to take some time to consider the possible benefits and consequences of making your diagnosis public.
Regular, moderate exercise can help you to live well with MS. As everyone’s MS experience, symptoms and capacity for exercise differ, an individual approach in consultation with your healthcare team is best. Read about the benefits of strength training, endurance training, aquatic and other exercise and what you need to be aware of.
MS fatigue is common in MS and can significantly disrupt your ability to work and function. Managing fatigue involves maximising and using energy efficiently. With the right information and support, MS fatigue can be minimised or managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
This MSIF Fatigue Guide (launched April 2020) sits alongside our 'Fatigue & MS' symptom sheet and may help you with more information on how to help manage your fatigue.
The future is often unpredictable. Planning ahead enables individuals to maintain control over their affairs (and the welfare of their dependent families) if they are no longer present or unable to make informed decisions due to illness or injury. As such, there are several legal and financial arrangements that are important for everyone to consider. Many of these arrangements will involve consultation with qualified legal and financial advisers. It is crucial that these advisers understand your individual needs and circumstances.
Many people with MS find that heat can make their symptoms worse – which symptom and the severity, varies from person to person. Whilst it’s common to experience a flare up of symptoms when hot, the effect is temporary and should calm down when you’re cool again. With the right information and support, heat issues can be minimised or managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience relapses - the frequency, severity and longevity varies from person to person. With the right information and support, relapses can be managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Pain covers a wide range of unpleasant physical sensations, but everyone - people living without or with MS - experiences it differently. Pain can be long lasting and impact daily life, or come in short irritating bouts. For many people with MS, pain may occur at any point, is often chronic and can be caused by other symptoms (like spasticity). For others, pain can be minimal or non-existent.
Whilst the future is unpredictable, planning ahead enables individuals to maintain control over their arrangements for future care and end-of-life. If you were very unwell and unable to communicate your preferences to others, who would you want to speak for you? What would you want them to say? How would you want to be cared for? This fact sheet may help you with information.
Having a baby is an important decision; however, given the complexity of multiple sclerosis (MS), this decision can become more complicated. This information sheet provides an overview of some of the more commonly asked questions about pregnancy and MS.
Many people with MS experience sensory symptoms in their skin. It’s often one of the first symptoms people notice - the severity and longevity varies from person to person.
Spasticity is a symptom of MS that causes your muscles to feel stiff, heavy and difficult to move. A spasm is a sudden stiffening of a muscle, which may cause a limb to kick out or jerk towards your body. Whilst many people experience these issues, for most they are occasional symptoms.
Close to half of people with MS experience swallowing difficulties. Indentifying this and seeking early treatment is key. With the right informations and support, swallowing issues can be managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Visual problems are often the first symptoms associated with MS. More than half of people with MS will experience at least one issue with vision. Identifying this and seeking early treatment is key. With the right information and support, vision issues can be managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.