It looks like you might be asking about PBA — pseudobulbar affect. This is a neurological condition that can occur with MS, causing uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying that don't match how you're actually feeling.
PBA episodes tend to share these characteristics:
- Not under your control
- Unrelated to your Show Full Answer
It looks like you might be asking about PBA — pseudobulbar affect. This is a neurological condition that can occur with MS, causing uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying that don't match how you're actually feeling.
PBA episodes tend to share these characteristics:
- Not under your control
- Unrelated to your actual feelings or mood
- Not triggered by anything specific
- A noticeable change from how you normally express emotions
- Often embarrassing or uncomfortable
Studies suggest PBA affects anywhere from 10% to 50% of people with MS, though it often goes undiagnosed because many people don't know it exists. The good news is there are treatments available. A doctor may recommend:
- Nuedexta — a medication specifically approved for PBA
- Antidepressants at low doses, such as SSRIs like Zoloft or Prozac, or SNRIs like Cymbalta
One MyMSTeam member shared that Nuedexta helped keep their emotions steady, while another found Cymbalta helpful for both mood swings and nerve pain.
It's worth bringing this up with your neurologist, as they can use simple questionnaires to help confirm whether what you're experiencing is PBA.
September 2
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