All the types of MS are described here for you

When it comes to the types of MS there seems to be some level of disagreement in the scientific community regarding how many there are. I choose to explain them all in MS-multiple-sclerosis-symptoms.com.



First on the list we have:

1. BENIGN MS

Is one of the least common types of MS. Between 10% to 15% of the patients suffering from MS are diagnosed with this form of the disease. This type of MS doesn’t show visible sensory symptoms at the beginning and doesn’t show some of the most common symptoms like double vision, difficulty with coordination or tremors.

Basically benign MS can only be positively identified after there is minimal disability 10 to 15 years following its official onset. Among the types of MS that exist, this one does not worsen with time and there is no permanent disability or disease progression.

As with most rules in life, there are exceptions and some people with Benign MS will eventually experience disease progression within 10 to 15 years of its official diagnosis.

2. Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS)

Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS is the most common of all the types of MS. Anywhere from 65% to 80% of us with MS have been diagnosed with it.

Basically all begins with an attack or a series of attacks – mine began one morning totally out of the blue – followed by a total or partial recovery from the original symptoms (remission) until another attack (relapse) occurs. Weeks and even years can pass between relapses.

3. Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)

Starts pretty much like the RRMS with the difference that after a few relapses the remission periods slowly begin to stop and the disease moves in a progressive phase.

SPMS is normally diagnosed if there is an incomplete recovery from relapses and a continue worsening of the symptoms. Usually this happens within 20 years of having been diagnosed with MS. Statistically speaking, around 65% of RRMS patients go on to develop SPMS.

4. Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)

Presents itself with a lack of attacks and remissions. The symptoms suddenly appear and steadily continue to get worse. They can level off or continue to progress.

Folks with this type of MS tend to be diagnosed at an older age. A unique characteristic of the PPMS type of MS is that unlike RRMS in which nerve damage is found in both the brain and the spinal cord, the disease primarily attacks the spinal cord.

Patients with PPMS don’t seem to experience the cognitive problems associated with damage of the brain.

5. Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS)

Is, among the types of MS a very rare form of MS. It is present in just 5% of the MS sufferers. The disease progresses from the very beginning with clear acute attacks and symptom flare ups. In between relapses the patient’s symptoms continue to get worse.

Last on the list of the types of MS we found:

6. Malignant Multiple Sclerosis (Marburg Variant)

Is a particularly aggressive type of MS. Thank God it’s also very rare. This form of MS is defined by its swift and relentless decline to significant disability or even death, often within a few weeks or months after the first attack.

Most of us fall into the Relapsing Remitting (RRMS) type so if you think you have MS or you just found out you do, you are probably asking yourself:

What can I expect to feel?

It will depend on the nerves and part of your body that has been affected.

For example, imagine having the nerves that travel through your legs being affected. You probably start experiencing weakness in your leg and/or numbness. Notice that I said leg and not legs. That’s because most of the time, this happens only on one side of the body. In my case it was the right side that was affected during my first attack.

I have read that the problems can also be only from your waist down.

The appearance of a “tingling sensation” is also common. I constantly have these “ants all over” sensation throughout my arms and legs. Pain is no stranger here.

From my experience and talks with different neurologist, the optic nerve seems to be one of the nerves usually affected early on in multiple sclerosis (MS). Having blurred vision or double vision is not uncommon.

Usually this happens only in one eye. I guess I was the exception. Both of my eyes suddenly were affected during my first attack. My neurologist explained to me that I was experiencing what’s known as Optic Neuritis

Also, since the problem is caused basically by the inflammation of the protective optic nerve sheath, you can expect some pain whenever you move your eyes.

You can start feeling sensations like electric shocks running from the back of your head (at the base of the neck) through your back when moving your head in certain ways. You may have sudden coordination trouble, feelings of unsteadiness when walking and dizziness.

It is estimated that around 85% of us – multiple sclerosis (MS) patients – suffer from this form of having it one day and off again. Normally you recover 100% of your previously lost abilities but sometime the recovering process may take months and even years.

This was my case after my second attack in 1998. It affected my optic nerve and I partially recovered my vision after 11 years. Click here to read more about me and my story

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