But new research and treatment options have changed the prognosis of this illness for so many people.
Whats more: Staying active isnt just possible; its actually recommended to slow the progression of the condition.
TheMayo Clinicrecommends getting at least 30 minutes of physical movement three times a week for people with MS.
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Here are their best tips.
Look into MS-specific fitness resources.
Cherie Binns, 69, has been living with MS for over 40 years.
Learn about whats available to you and create a plan with rest days built in before you get started.
2. have a go at move a little bit each day.
Physical activity may look different for each of us, but any movement is good movement, Reilly says.
She still went on to become an all-American goalkeeper and played all four years of her college career.
Shes developed a personal motto that guides her: No matter what your limitation, you might keep moving.
Of course, the reality of this will look different from person to person.
Set long-term, incremental movement goals.
Now shes training for her fifth marathon.
Setting a goal was definitely first on my list, she says.
Once I set my mind to it, I knew it was going to be done.
Binns has had a similar strategy in the past.
She remembers a time in her disease progression when her symptoms confined her to a scooter.
Even when she temporarily lost some of her mobility, she stayed committed to strengthening her legs.
Its nothing for me now to walk a mile in the evening with my husband, Binns says.
Choose exercise that you enjoy.
If you dont like the exercise that youre doing, you wont be motivated to continue it.
Thats whyCourtney Platt, 33, has kept dancing, her professional and personal first love.
Reilly agrees that finding an activity that offers fun as well as fitness is vital for staying motivated.
Find something that you enjoy and attempt to be consistent with it, she says.
And there are tons of seated workout options for people who need something lower impact.
Exercising in waterprovides gentle resistance without additional stress on your joints.
Binns is one example of a hydrotherapy success story.
Experimenting with movement for 4045 minutes each day eventually became a routine of things that felt right.
TheNational MS Societyrecommends exercising in a pool under 85 degrees if you want to experiment with hydrotherapy.
Get moving with a friend (or five).
If shes a no-show, she says, members of the group will check in.
As a self-described extrovert, that social piece of staying active is key to keeping her motivated.
Alvarez isnt the only one who credits working out with friends to her consistent routine.
Reilly also feels that tagging others into your routine is key to keeping active.
Even theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommends working out with a friend for accountability.
Start with straightforward, less complicated movements.
Muscle weakness in your arms and legs is a common symptom for people with MS.
But Reilly says, in her experience, its been possible to strengthen her legs with asit-to-stand movement.
The classic exercise involves first sitting down with your knees bent.
Or you might work on strength using items like resistance bands.
Even standing still can be a form of exercise that activates and strengthens your leg muscle groups.
Check in with yourself often.
We cant go without mentioning the mental health piece of an MS diagnosis.
Reilly recommends doing a body scan exercise at the beginning of each day or even mid-workout.
Hows my fatigue physically, like my muscles?
Am I tired or did I get a full nights rest?
Platt seconds the importance of scheduling rest and staying in tune with her body.
