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Prognosis & Disease
Course
Predicting the course of MS is difficult
because of the unpredictability of the illness. Because of this
fact, MS varies greatly in each person. Physicians do have
"guidelines" that they utilize to infer prognosis. Individuals who
have few exacerbations early in the disease process with long
intervals between exacerbations, complete recovery and exacerbations
that are sensory in nature tend to do better. Individuals who early
in the disease process have symptoms of tremor, incoordination and
difficulty in walking or have frequent attacks with incomplete
recoveries tend to have a more progressive course of MS.
The
following are the four courses of MS:
Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) is characterized by partial or
total recovery after exacerbations.
Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS) is characterized when
exacerbations occur and partial recoveries tend to occur. Many
individuals who are diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS will
develop Secondary Progressive MS.
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) is progressive from onset.
Symptoms do not remit and while exacerbations are not normally acute
disability becomes progressive.
Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS) is quite rare and is
characterized by obvious acute attacks.
An important point
to remember concerning prognosis in MS is that on average, it's not
as bad as most think. We notice people who are most disabled by MS,
however, many people live normal, full lives with visible
disability. |
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