Multiple sclerosis
An immune condition affecting the nervous system, often with spasticity and fatigue.
About this condition
Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms depend on where that damage happens and can include fatigue, muscle stiffness and spasms, pain, altered sensation, bladder problems, balance difficulties and changes in vision or thinking. Most people are diagnosed with a relapsing form.
Disease modifying therapies reduce relapses and are managed by neurology. Alongside them, symptom control matters enormously to daily life, particularly for spasticity, nerve pain, fatigue and bladder function. A licensed cannabis based medicine already exists in the UK for MS related spasticity, prescribed through specialist neurology services.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Disease modifying therapies under neurology care
- Baclofen or tizanidine for muscle spasticity
- Physiotherapy and specialist neurological rehabilitation
- Nerve pain medicines such as gabapentin, pregabalin or amitriptyline
- Bladder management and continence support
- Fatigue management and occupational therapy
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about multiple sclerosis
Neurological
Other conditions in this category
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find out where you stand, free.
The eligibility check takes 30 seconds and carries no commitment. All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Check your eligibility