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Is it Relapsing-Remitting-MS what your neurologist says you have?

Relapsing-Remitting-MS (RRMS) is the most frequently found type of Multiple Sclerosis. This particular type of MS is characterized by periods during which new symptoms can show up or old ones re-emerge or worsen. These periods are known as: MS attacks, exacerbations or simply relapses. The main thing is that these relapses are followed by periods of remission, allowing the person to fully or partially recover from any problems caused by the relapse. The vast majority of us MSers – up to 85% - when diagnosed have been told we have Relapsing-Remitting MS.

You can watch the following video that was produced by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to better your understanding of this type of MS.

Here is a link to download a guide produced by the National MS Society that will help you choose the doctor that will treat your MS. Click here to find out what to look for in your Neurologist

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A RELAPSE?

Whenever a relapse starts to take place, the myelin - which is a protective insulating sheath surrounding the nerve fibers - is destroyed in an inflammatory response by the body's own immune system. This causes a wide variety of neurological symptoms that vary considerably depending on which areas of the central nervous system (CNS) are damaged.

In Relapsing-Remitting MS, the relapses can last for days, weeks or months at a time and recovery can be slow and steady or almost immediate. Normally folks present their first episode of Relapsing-Remitting MS in their twenties or thirties – I was 33 years old when I had my first relapse – although there have been diagnoses done at much earlier or later age. Another interesting fact about this type of MS is that twice as many women as men have this variety of Multiple Sclerosis.

Immediately after a relapse, the inflammatory response begins to slowly disappear and a unique type of cell known as a glial cell in the central nervous system (CNS) (called oligodendrocytes) starts the remyelination - a process during which the myelin sheath around the axon is restored. This remyelination process is what we called the remission in MS.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION OF A RELAPSE

Normally neurologists would classified a relapse as an incident or episode of neurological symptoms that appear and lasted at least 24 hours and took place no less than 30 days after any previous incident.

MS symptoms usually come and go without any warnings or signs and they can sometimes be considered a relapse – they don’t always have to be continuous. For example, some MSers experience a shock-like sensation when they bend their neck. This can be considered a relapse if it occurs every time they bend their neck for at least 24 hours.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR SPINAL CORD DURING A RELAPSE?

Basically, during a relapse your own body’s cells attack nerve fibers in your brain and in your spinal cord. Resulting from the inflammation taking place, fluid collects around the nerve fibers which compresses the nerves and prevents messages from getting through or distorts their signals.

When messages are blocked (interrupted) in a particular area that has a specific function, like the optic nerve (the main nerve in your eyes) MS symptoms like Optic neuritis may suddenly show up and cause serious Visual impairment

When the accumulated fluid disappears from the brain or your spinal column and the nerve fibers are no longer compressed, the remission period is said to start.

Once the inflammation and the fluid disappears, the Central Nervous System (CNS) can 'remyelinate', repairing some of the damage done to the myelin. Please keep in mind that MSers can fully recover from Relapsing-Remitting symptoms when there is damage to the myelin.. Even if some nerve fibers themselves are damaged, an MSer can still recover completely from relapses.

WHAT IS LIKE TO LIVE WITH RELAPSING-REMITTING-MS?

Like most things in life, one gets used to dealing and managing different situations. Having Relapsing-Remitting-MS is no different except that coming to the realization and reaching total and complete acceptance might prove to be somewhat difficult. My advice to you: Give it time and be patient.

I know that nobody knows what’s going to happen in the next minute, the next hour or whatever future holds, but somehow we – human beings – learned to live alright not knowing, we just kept on forward but, In the case of those of us with Relapsing-Remitting-MS, is different in the sense that we know what’s going to happen – a relapse, a new exacerbation, the worsening of our condition.. – We’re just waiting for it to happen. That much is true. How you make the most of that time - while you’re waiting - is the essence of living with Relapsing-Remitting-MS

You can find several links that will help you to live better and cope with Relapsing-Remitting-MS below:

How to control your body’s temperature

How to deal with MS fatigue

How to deal with depression in MS

Are mood swings frequent In MS?

Can anxiety appear in MS?

What can you do about those MS headaches?

How does it feels to have MS?

Find out more about problems with cognitive functions in MS

Excellent nutrition and diet guidelines

Adopting a low fat diet for your MS

Medications currently used to treat Relapsing-Remitting-MS: