As part of a survey conducted in 2018, MyMSTeam asked members about life with MS and the symptoms they experience. In particular, the survey focused on what it is like living with cognitive symptoms.

MS symptoms that affect the various functions of the brain are known as cognitive symptoms. Cognitive symptoms of MS may include:

• Trouble understanding information
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention

People with MS sometimes refer to these symptoms collectively as “brain fog.” Read more about Common Cognitive Symptoms in MS.

MyMSTeam also asked those who have cognitive symptoms if they knew when these symptoms began. Approximately half of those who responded said that their MS cognitive symptoms started prior to receiving their MS diagnosis.

Here are some examples of how members talk about cognitive symptoms when they started:

• “I always thought that I was just getting old or developing Alzheimer’s. I didn’t realize this could be part of my MS.”
• “I was convinced that I was getting forgetful and it was part of menopause. Then I was diagnosed with MS.”

Read more about results from the MyMSTeam member survey on MS cognitive symptoms:

• Life With MS Cognitive Symptoms
• How MS Cognitive Symptoms Impact Lives

If you have cognitive symptoms of MS, when did they start for you? How did you first notice them? Respond in comments below.