Re: ms diagnosis

Posted By CCF Neuro MD on July 24, 1997 at 03:24:56:

In Reply to: ms diagnosis posted by sally thomson on July 10, 1997 at 20:19:01:







: I have been diagnosed with recurrent-remissive MS.  Is it possible for this form of the disorder to become the chronic, degenerative type, or are the two forms different always?



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Dear Sally:
A significant number of patients with relapsing-remitting MS accumulate deficit that may progress in a steady or linear fashion. Such patients are labelled as having "secondarily progressive MS". These patients should be distinguished from the minority of patients (less than 20%) with "primary progressive MS", who have a steadily progressive course from onset, and do not have significant acute exacerbations or remissions. Several experts believe that primary progressive MS has a different biological behavior from relapsing-remitting MS/secondarily progressive MS.
I hope this answers your question.
In case you live near Cleveland and want a more detailed explanation, or wish to have the second opinion of a neurologist specializing in MS, I recommend that you see Dr. Rudick, Dr. Kinkel, Dr. Cohen, or Dr. Guttman at the Mellen Center affiliated to the Cleveland Clinic. The Mellen Center is a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to MS patient care and research, and it sees and follows a very large number of MS patients from several states in the US.
The number to call for appointments is [phone], or [phone] (toll free).
Good luck!
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.