MS Progression

Relapsing Remitting MS

Most people diagnosed with MS will experience a series of flare-ups in their condition, known as relapses, followed by remission. This is understood as relapsing remitting MS.

This stage may last between 10 and 20 years. Currently it is difficult to offer a more specific prognosis to any individual with MS.

Secondary Progressive MS

After some years MS may be characterised by fewer or no relapses, with slow development of further problems. At this stage, it is referred to as secondary progressive MS.

Over the last two decades, several drugs have been introduced to help reduce the number of relapses occurring in early MS, to limit the nerve damage caused by relapses. New drugs for this phase of MS are continually being tested.

Primary Progressive MS 

Around 10 – 15% percent of people living with the condition have primary progressive MS. PPMS can be more difficult to diagnose and progression may be slow, but in very rare cases it may be more rapid.

New drugs are continually being tested to treat this form of progressive MS in its early stages.