What are the different types of MS?

MS is an unpredictable disease. For some people the disease is mild and their MS does not have a significant impact on their lives. Others have more active disease and MS has a big impact on their lives. MS is a different disease for everyone who has it. Although every person with MS experiences a different combination of symptoms, there are 4 main patterns.

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
People with this type of disease experience clearly defined flare-ups (also called relapses or exacerbations). A relapse is a new symptom that occurs or an old symptom that worsens.
Relapses usually begin quickly, and usually get worse over several days and may last for a few days or weeks or even months. Every relapse is different. You may have a mild relapse one year and a more severe one the next year. It is like having a chest or head cold – sometimes it doesn’t bother you too much and the next time you may have a “bad “cold.

With relapsing remitting MS your symptoms may end completely or you may be left with some of your symptoms. Between relapses your symptoms are stable. Stable means the symptoms stay the same and do not change. There may be partial recovery between relapses.
Frequency: RRMS is the most common form of MS at time of initial diagnosis.

Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
This type of MS begins as RRMS but after a while there is no period of stability between relapses. You may still have relapses but symptoms will progress or slowly get worse.
50% of people with RRMS develop this form of the disease over time.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
People with this type of MS do not have relapses.Symptoms begin gradually and slowly worsen over time. There may be stable periods.

Progressive – Relapsing MS (PRMS)
This is a rare type of MS. Symptoms begin as in primary-progress, but later one or more relapses occur.

*Taken From “What Patterns Can MS Follow?” by the Calgary MS Clinic Health Information brochure

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