HOW MANY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MS ARE OUT THERE?
Relapsing-Remitting MS
Most people with multiple sclerosis, around 85%, have this type.
They usually have the first signs of the disease in their early 20s. After that, they have attacks called relapses from time to time, followed by weeks, months, or years of recovery (called remissions). The degree of recovery, and the time between relapses can all vary widely from person to person.
Secondary Progressive MS
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is tough to treat, and the disease can be hard to handle day to day. Symptoms get worse at a different rate for each person. Treatments work moderately well, but most people will have some trouble using their body like they used to. After living with relapsing-remitting MS for many years, eventually most people will get secondary progressive MS.
Primary Progressive MS
In Primary Progressive MS the disease gradually gets worse over time. There are no well-defined attacks of symptoms, and there is little or no remissions. In addition, MS treatments don’t work as well with this type of MS. About 10% of people with MS have this type.
TREATMENTS AVAILABLE
There are more than a dozen disease modifying therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat all types of MS.