types of MS (FYI)

[sashaming1]

Info from verywellhealth.com/multiple...

There are three main types of MS. They vary in their symptoms, disease course, and how they are treated.

Relapsing-remitting MS: About 85 to 90 percent of people with MS are first diagnosed with this form. During relapses, you'll experience neurological symptoms and functionality will decline. During remissions, symptoms may disappear or just become milder. Remission may last weeks or months.

Secondary-progressive MS: Some people with relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop secondary-progressive MS. It has a more progressive disease course in which symptoms become chronic and irreversible.

Primary-progressive MS: Symptoms slowly, but steadily get worse over time. Relapses don't occur, and the rate of worsening varies greatly. This is a less common type, accounting for about ten percent of cases. It tends to affect the spinal cord more than the brain.

You may also hear about clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). This is when a person has experienced a single episode that looks like an MS relapse but doesn't meet the criteria for a proper MS diagnosis. Some people with CIS go on to develop MS while others don't.

In the past, when specific treatments weren't available, the vast majority of patients with relapsing-remitting MS developed secondary progressive MS within 15 to 20 years of their diagnoses. However, since the development of disease-modifying medications, that has changed.

The prognosis for MS patients continues to improve.: Some people with relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop secondary-progressive MS. It has a more progressive disease course in which symptoms become chronic and irreversible.

The prognosis for MS patients continues to improve.

[rjoneslaw]

thanks

[RoyceNewton]

very glad to hear that

[sashaming1]

"Some people..." I wish they would have listed a percentage for my peace of mind possibly.

[goatgal]

Mostly accurate. Remember, there are those in the MS community whose profile doesn't quite line up with these descriptions.

[ahrogers in reply to goatgal]

That is why I don't fixated on what type I have. I get new symptoms that do not improve but they still have me down as rrms. Once my neuro commented that it could be ppms given this and I also have several lesions in my cord in addition to the brain lesions but did not officially change it in my chart. I decided that is a good thing, keeps treatment options open in case I need to change someday. I do plan to stay on Ocrevus since it works for both and has been doing well for me.

[goatgal in reply to ahrogers]

If someone is eligible for a DMT, it may matter how a neuro classifies MS since some drugs are more effective at certain stages. As for me, any descriptive label is meaningless; it doesn't change what I experience.

[Cutefreckles72]

Thanks for the info. I have PPMS and I agree the symptoms steadily get worse over time. I was diagnosed July 2019 and since than being able to walk by myself has decreased. I need help all the time. The spinal cord takes a beating from MS. My legs are crazy. 🤪

[wolfmom21fl in reply to Cutefreckles72]

I feel ya there. I was dx'd in late 2015 at the ripe old age of 57. So many years of being disregarded and doing without treatment took its' toll. I entered the realm of SPMS late 2019. since then I have had 3 relapses even with a DMY, Mayzent, and new lesions showing on both brain and cervical spine this latest one done last month. In October i has new lesions on cervical spine... early last year new lesion in brain only.. but this latest one is freaking me out. I had a relapse in Feb that pretty bad and there are 10 new brain lesions and 2 new spine lesions... I think I am going to be looking at a new DMT again.. I am tired.. very tired

[Sabs2]

Trying to determine which one you have, is extremely difficult. At least for me. I would really like to see, at some point, a study done on those who were diagnosed at an older age. I have several friends who were diagnosed in late 50s early 60s. I was 62. And it seems all the doctors or my friends and I want to cut us off dmts even though some are experiencing symptoms. I keep wondering if it's Medicare or some other outside source putting pressure on to stop treating us? Or because we are now over 65, 66 or whatever we are no longer of value? The medical community seems to put out that the immune system relaxes or rest or slows down at about 65 and therefore MS goes away. I say BS. I've watched three friends who were mobile, had their DMT's stopped on doctor's orders, who suddenly went down hill because of no DMT. They are dx'd w PPMS , and until recently there was nothing to help them. I wonder if ppms is really just an " aging out" of MS. Not necessarily the age of the patient but the age of the disease.

[wolfmom21fl in reply to Sabs2]

I am on Medicare and i have to get a prior authorization from my part D drug plan every year after the initial approval or if i switch medications. The doc has put in paperwork for this to Medicare.. the whatever company your friend has.. it takes a while the first time with each company but once its been done the subsequent years go faster. The DMTs cost a lot of money so they don't automatically cover them. you have to get pre approval for them. I have never been denied for any of them and I have been on 4 different ones now.

[lbenmaor]

Thank you for the article. Now I know what I have.

Aren't we all lucky!

Leslie