I'm a 40-year-old woman, and I've been experiencing muscle tension and spasms in my abdomen, back, jaw and throat. My memory has been pretty bad this year as well. I've been under a lot of stress (divorce, financial troubles, etc.) but my fear is that I have multiple sclerosis. Do these sound like symptoms of this disease?

--Suzanne

I am not an expert on multiple sclerosis (neurologists are), but I can tell you the most common presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis is a gait disturbance (problem with walking). Optic neuritis, a condition in which there is partial or total loss of vision in one eye with pain upon moving the eye, is also a common initial symptom.

Your symptoms -- muscle tension in the belly, back and jaw, and memory loss -- are much more consistent with stress. Try relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga, or even a nice long soak in a hot bath with some lavender-scented bubbles. Get out and exercise. Do something you love to do every day, even if it's only for 5 minutes. And tell yourself, every day, that you can handle whatever is thrown at you and that you will survive and grow and be better for having made it through this difficult time. It may also be advisable to see a therapist. If you have other symptoms, or if the ones you have get worse, by all means see your doctor for a complete evaluation.