Not every patient who develops multiple sclerosis, or MS, will experience the same progression of symptoms. There are four different paths the disease may follow, varying from person to person. Each path has its own progression of symptoms and again varies in severity from person to person. The progression of the disease may be more or less steady, depending on the path that a particular patient’s disease follows.

Relapsing-Remitting MS:

The first type of MS occurs initially in the majority of patients diagnosed with the disease. In this case, symptoms may fade and then reappear periodically for many years. The recurrence and remission of symptoms is completely random and varies among patients. During remissions, the disease does not advance in severity. However, after relapses, symptoms may grow to be more severe.

Secondary-Progressive MS:

Secondary-progressive MS usually begins as relapsing-remitting MS does. Patients may experience a relapse, remission stage or stages of the disease. Then the disease will begin to slowly and steadily progress with damage to the spinal cord and brain. Some attacks and remissions may still occur. However, the patient’s symptoms will generally become constant and may continue to grow worse.

Primary-Progressive MS:

In this form of MS, the patient’s symptoms progress from the onset of the disease, becoming steadily worse over time. Brain and nerve function deteriorate gradually and there are no periods of remission. This type of the disease occurs in small numbers of people with MS.

Progressive-Relapsing MS:

Progressive-relapsing MS involves the more steady deterioration of nerve function that begins as soon as the first symptoms of MS appear. The patient can experience relapses and flare-ups in which the nerve damage continues to worsen. In this case, symptoms may worsen and become disabling even without an attack. This is a more rare course for the disease to take, however.

Once a patient has been diagnosed with MS, it is important to try to determine which path the disease will take. Since many forms of the disease can have relapses and remissions, it is important to be closely monitored by a doctor to see if progression of damage remains the same or continues to worsen over time.