Re: How long does one live with MS?

Posted By CCF Neuro MD msf on November 20, 1998 at 13:43:13:

In Reply to: How long does one live with MS? posted by Lone on November 19, 1998 at 07:32:44:






I havent heard of any old person with MS, so now I wonder
how long one can live (normally lives) with this disease?
If one dies sooner because of MS, what is really the
course of death? Kidney problems? Cardiac arrest?
I know many people wont talk about death,
but I hope youll answer anyway.
Thank you very much.
Lone
Dear Lone,
A large number of people with MS get old (I will let you decide at what age someone is "old"...). What we call the "life expectancy"(the number of years someone can expect to live)  for many people with MS, is close to the life expectancy for the general population. Regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate management of problems related to the disease and other health problems, and regular medical follow-up are of course very important. In some cases, the disease remains very active, and leads to severe disability; patients may die from complications related to their disability (infections, respiratory problems, or others...). There is emerging evidence that the "disease-modifying therapies" (Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone) may reduce the progression of disability in the long term, but these treatments have been widely used only for 5-6 years.

[lukeboy]

A related discussion, m/s was started.