The last day of operation for Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB was 31 March 2026. The information on this website has not been updated since 31 March 2026. The legacy policies, prescribing recommendations and pathways can be accessed on this website. Find out more

RAG rating
n/a
Document type
Clinical pathways
Place
Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB
Output type
Clinical Pathways
Pathway
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Suspected Pathway | V4 2026Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Relapse Pathway

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves. Multiple sclerosis can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms. It's also known as MS.

Common symptoms include:

  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Electric-shock sensations that happen with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward. This sensation is called Lhermitte sign.
  • Lack of coordination.
  • Trouble with walking or not being able to walk at all.
  • Weakness.
  • Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time. Vision loss often happens with pain during eye movement.
  • Double vision.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Dizziness and a false sense that you or your surroundings are moving, known as vertigo.
  • Trouble with sexual, bowel and bladder function.
  • Fatigue.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Troubles with memory, thinking and understanding information.
  • Mood changes.
Refer people suspected of having MS for diagnosis by a consultant neurologist or a specialist under their supervision.

 

Diagnose MS using a combination of history, examination, MRI and laboratory findings.

Establishing progressive neurological deterioration over 1 year or more for a diagnosis of primary progressive MS

Please see pathway attached for further information. 

Back