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Updated on November 24, 2025
Learning you have multiple sclerosis (MS) can feel overwhelming. Alternatively, it may be a relief to finally get a definitive diagnosis and understand what’s causing your symptoms. Or your initial reaction may fall somewhere in between. There is no wrong way to feel or respond when you learn you have MS.
MS can be an unpredictable condition, and everyone’s experience is different. But there are steps you can take to feel more in control as you learn how to navigate life with MS. Below are a few strategies to help you get started.
Work with your healthcare providers
While there is currently no cure for MS, there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease, manage symptoms, and prevent complications. Treatment will depend on the type of MS, symptoms, severity, and other factors. Everyone’s treatment plan is different.
Your healthcare team will be your best source of information about treatment. Treating MS is typically overseen by a neurologist, but care teams can also include primary care providers, pain specialists, physical and occupational therapists, ophthalmologists, gastroenterologists, urologists, nurses, and mental health professionals. Medications are the primary treatment for MS, and a pharmacist is also a valuable source of information.
In addition to your healthcare team, patient advocacy organizations like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation can be a valuable source of information and practical advice.
Decide how to share your diagnosis
Deciding who, what, when, where, and how to tell the people in your life about an MS diagnosis can be challenging. Take some time to think about how you want to approach how to share your diagnosis with others.
Talk to your healthcare providers and ask if they can give you any guidance. They may have material for you to read, or they may be able to set you up with a counselor, healthcare social worker, or patient navigator. Support groups can also be a valuable source of information. While everyone’s experience is different, many people have navigated this situation before. Learning about their experiences can be helpful as you learn how to navigate your own.
MS can affect work and career. Before you share your diagnosis with an employer or colleagues, take time to learn about your rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). This is another topic to bring up with your healthcare team. Ask for information to take with you. Ask who you can talk to and who can explain your rights and what you need to consider.
Any time you are sharing a diagnosis, be prepared for questions, such as questions about your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Think about whether you are ready to answer these questions and how you want to answer them.
Many people will likely offer help, and you may want to think about how to respond before you have a conversation.
Consider joining a support group
It can help to talk with other people who have MS, who can be a valuable source of emotional support and practical information. Consider joining a support group—either one that meets in person or one that connects online. Ask your healthcare team for recommendations. Patient advocacy organizations like those mentioned above may also have information.
Stay organized
Being diagnosed with a condition like MS often involves a lot of paperwork and coordinating of resources. Organization helps, and it helps to start organizing as soon as possible. Keep a file that includes medical bills, insurance claims, diagnostic reports, medications, information on employee rights, and any other paperwork relevant to your diagnosis or treatment. This will save you time, stress, and energy in the future.
Keep learning about MS
Knowing more about MS and about your diagnosis can help you feel more in control. It can also help prepare you for conversations with your healthcare team and decisions you’ll need to make about treatment. MS can be unpredictable, and knowing more about the condition can help you be a little more prepared for the unexpected.
