"One day, one wonderful hour at a time."
Types of MS
You may be surprised to hear that people experience different types of MS. But MS is different for everyone.
Relapsing MS
Approximately 85% of people with MS are diagnosed with a type of MS called relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). In this type of MS, people have clearly defined periods when the disease gets worse. These periods are called relapses. Your health care provider may call them "attacks" or "exacerbations ."
A relapse is when old symptoms worsen or new ones appear. For a symptom to be called a relapse, it must last for more than 24 hours in the absence of fever and be in some way disabling to you. Relapses may occur at any time, usually without warning, and can be mild or severe. In RRMS, relapses are followed by a long or short period of time when symptoms completely or partially go away. This is called remission .
In RRMS, relapses are followed by periods of remission. Over time disability accumulates.
Secondary-progressive MS
Another type of MS is secondary-progressive MS (SPMS). Some studies have estimated that without disease-modifying drugs (DMDs), one third to one half of people with RRMS would go on to develop SPMS 10 years after diagnosis. In SPMS, symptoms and permanent disability get progressively worse. Distinct relapses are less common, and remission periods are minor.
In SPMS, symptoms and disability get progressively worse. Relapses and periods of remission are less common.
Unfortunately, it is impossible for your health care provider to predict if and when you will go on to develop SPMS. The good news is that disease-modifying therapy may delay the development of SPMS.
