MS Progressive Types:
Frequently Asked Questions
This series of articles about Progressive MS has a lot of information, and not all of it is easy to understand. Perhaps a good way to review the subject is to cover some of the frequently asked questions.
How do I know if my MS is a Progressive type?
MS may start with an attack followed by a continual increase in the symptom severity, and that is Primary Progressive MS.
If MS starts with a Relapsing/Remitting course, it will probably advance between ten and forty years, and the clear relapses will be replaced by a gradual worsening of symptoms. When there are no longer periods of recovery, that is Secondary Progressive MS.
Besides the functional characteristics, doctors can see that MS has advanced to a progressive course by using an EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale). The EDSS is a standardized measure of global neurological impairment often used in MS to determine type and severity. The National MS Society explains the scale.
