Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting the central nervous system, in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheathing surrounding nerve fibers causing Inflammation and lesions, making it difficult or impossible for the brain to send signals to rest of the body.

Every "type" of MS starts from this baseline. From there the disease is divided into the length and severity of attacks. When you see articles and information about MS, it will likely fall into 1 of these 3 groups: 1-MS that grows over time, 2-rare forms of MS, and pre-diagnosis MS.

MS That Grows Over Time

Most MS falls under this category. Each of these types are affected to some extent by symptom flare ups, new symptoms OR increased intensity or worsening or existing symptoms. Symptom flare ups can also be called relapses, exacerbations, and attacks.

• Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) - As the name suggests a person has relapses (flare ups, etc.), which then remit (go away). Then the cycle repeats. The relapse can last from a few days to months. The remit can be a few months or even years. When in the remit stage, patients can begin to assess the damage. If abilities were lost, the regaining of the abilities will depend on the severity of the attack, the amount of remit-time before another attack, and whether or not the nerve was actually damaged. If an attack actually touches a nerve, whatever function that nerve had is lost forever.

• Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) - Started as RRMS, but suddenly begins to have decline without periods of remission.

• Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - Steady increase in disability without attacks.

Rare Forms of MS

• Fulminate Multiple Sclerosis

• Inactive "Benign" Multiple Sclerosis

• "Burned-out" Multiple Sclerosis

Pre-Diagnosis MS

When a person is being diagnosed, they usually fall under one of these two classifications.

• Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

• Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS)

If you'd like to know more about my experiences, please let me know. Place any questions or comments that you have below. I hope that this was helpful in your understanding of MS.