An initial diagnosis if Multiple Sclerosis is commonly the RRMS type. RRMS Multiple Sclerosis is the type of MS that seems to be most responsive to current medications on the market. Patients who are experiencing the relapsing-remitting form of MS will have symptoms that come and go. A remission occurs when the symptoms disappear and a relapse is signified by their return. During a remission, many patients are able to either partially or fully recover from any damage caused by the symptoms. As long as the symptoms continue to come and go and the disease doesn’t progress, Relapsing-Remitting MS hasn’t evolved into one of the more progressive forms of Multiple Sclerosis.
No simple diagnosis tactic occurs as of yet for any type of MS. The doctor will need to find out a complete medical history. Details about the symptoms are necessary to find out if they have increased in severity or numbers, when they first occurred, how long they’ve been present, and how long the time period is between each flare-up.
Blood is drawn to check for signs of other diseases, such as Lyme disease or HIV. Cerebrospinal fluid is collected to check for antibodies present in it. When the immune system attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, certain antibodies are created. However, there are a number of diseases which also cause the spinal fluid to contain antibodies. Most diagnoses for MS are used to rule out other diseases and to narrow the results down to a particular type of Multiple Sclerosis.
An MRI is used to detect active lesions on the brain and spinal cord, but these will only be visible if inflammation is present during the MRI. If symptoms have gone into remission, there may not be any signs of MS on the scan. Occasionally, old scars or lesions can be seen in a scan and doctors can get an idea of how long the disease has been going on.
RRMS Symptoms
Symptoms of Relapsing Remitting MS can range from mild to severe and they might manifest and subside for years at a time. Pain of the lower extremities, weakness in arms and legs, fatigue, numbness, tingling, blurred vision, slurred speech, partial paralysis, and up to a total of around 50 symptoms can occur. The coming and going pattern of symptoms is what gives RR Multiple Sclerosis it’s very own category.
RRMS Treatment
Disease-modifying medications seem to work well for people with Relapsing Remitting MS. Recovering from a relapse is made easier through the use of corticosteroids, plasma exchange, IV immunoglobulin, or adrenocorticotropic hormone. Reducing the number of relapses to extend the amount of time during a remission is possible through the use of mitoxantrone, interferon beta, glatiramer, fingolimod, and natalizumab.
RRMS is manageable through proper diagnosis, knowing what symptoms to look for and knowing how to treat the individual symptoms. RRMS Multiple Sclerosis can evolve into a more progressive form of MS if left unattended.
Related articles: MS relapse | CNS demyelination | Demyelination Disorders |
