Does RRMS always progress to SPMS?

[bornworrier]

I was just wondering if it is at all possible to have a mild case of MS throughout one's lifetime?  I have had mild MS-like symptoms for 22 years now, without any major attacks..and symptoms which include bladder issues (frequency and feeling like I always have to go --this waxes and wanes,

sensory sensations-tingling, burning, very little numbness, pricking, feeling of liquid dripping under skin, vision issues (may have had optic neuritis right after I had the chicken pox), also some other minor vison issues like tons of floaters, weird distortions upon waking from deep sleep (goes away very quickly),

when cold fingers get a little numb quickly, same as with thighs, and when out in the cold i have pain in inner ear,

sometimes cant recall words, but this doesnt happen too often, no sexual desire.

I have not been diagnosed.  Last MRI's were 4 years ago of brain and C_spine and they were normal.  Is it possible to have normal brain and C-spine MRi's after having MS symptoms for 18 years? I also had normal MRI's years ago of brain and T-spine and normal spinal tap.

I believe I have MS because what else could it be after all these years?  All symptoms are MS symptoms, I am lucky they have all been mild.  The worst being the bladder.  It was my first symptom.    I have never had any problems walking, I can still work out fine at the gym doing strength training and eliptical machine.  My biceps and hamstrings seem like they may be somewhat weak as I am doing the exercises.

I am doing the OMS diet---Dr. George Jenelik.  If you would like to check it out the website is www.overcomingmultiplesclerosis.org.  I believe in this diet.  George JEnelik has MS, his mother had it too, and he has gone through all of the medical research and ;literature has come up with this diet plan-or lifestyle change that worked for him.  He has been on it for 10 years with no more progression and no symptoms of MS!!  There is proof in the works of Dr. Swank that a diet low in saturated fat works to stop the progression of MS.  

Anyway,  what I have found about the progression of RRMS is that it usually does progress to SPMS.  Does anyone have anymore information on this?  

Thanks for your help and taking the time to read my post.  

[jujuminx]

Well said Bob.

Julie

[COBOB]

I don't see this as an issue about dictatorships.  Most of us are very open minded and free thinking people.  We also respect each other for the most part.  The problem is that we do get people (companies) that open accounts on here and try and sell us their miracle yogurt, etc.  We also hope to educate people is how not to get sucked in by scientifically unsupported claims of cure, improvements, etc.

No one on here said that they were against healthy diets, but the "over statement of "cures or control of symptoms" for MS gets our hackles up.  We are aware of the MS diets.  We are also aware of what the third party research has shown in relation to the diets.  Some of the basic ideas are leading to research in Omega-3 and Omega-6 and neural repair, but the diets themselves have not produced repeatable results in designed and blinded clinical evaluations.  That is not a negative or abusive slander....it is scientific fact.  Sorry.  It would be great if I could eat a carrot and not have to take Copaxone, but it doesn't look promising.

I'll try and keep a smile about this, but hearsay is not proof.  Convincing myself is not proof (that is conviction.)  When a panel of neurologist peers accept the design of a study and the publication of it results, that is leading towards proof.   Diets didn't even get that far.   The authors results were published in the journals, the publishers printed the books and sold them to a bunch of us desperate MS patients and then the other researchers were not able to consistently duplicate the authors results in controlled blinded studies.

Some of us are Medical Doctors, Allied Heath Professionals, Engineers, etc.  In general, scientists.  We believe in the scientific method and the rigorous examination of data.  The MS Diets have not hit that level of rigor .  Neither has CCSVI, but we are holding out hope.

We debate...somewhat civilly and we try and support our claims and research.  We go back to source publications.  We don't like hearsay or anecdotal claims.  

If you have to leave, so be it, but I think you might have been able to learn a few things here.  We have some very knowledgeable people here.  If you put something out there, you can get called on it.  For the most part, the warnings and comments are made to educate folks that you can try any diet you like, but you should have no expectation that it will in any way change the course of MS.

[Tingles29]

Give me a break Terri.  What is this forum a dictatorship?  Last time I checked this was a public forum.  Aren't you being a bit dramatic!!!  I'm pretty sure bornworrier wasn't solicitating or trying to sell you a diet.  Its a legit question and topic of discussion.

"Those of us here on the MS forum help and listen to each other...we do not debate..."
Just a bit extreme right there.  Guess whatever you say or the majority says everyone else should just sit back and accept??  No debating allowed??  I don't think so..... Any ways I'll take myself off this forum for good.  No black sheep allowed I guess.

I should hate to see a new member like myself come to You're MS forum and see how negative close minded individual can be just because the idea is in the minority.  

[tjj3761]

Ditto sslowe... Thank you and well stated....

I have been on this wonderful forum for the past several years and NEVER have seen someone rant on and on as this person has done.

This forum is one that has brought so many of us together to help one another, comfort each other when there are those who do not understand this disease, listen and answer questions.

The only thing that I got from this post was somebody trying to sell a diet.....

As stated previously by others, there is no cure for MS.  Once you have it, you will always have it.....  There are only a handful of things we can do to try and lessen or slow the progression of the disease.  

I would hate to see a new member come to our MS forum and find this negative, ranting post about a diet, which is inconclusive.  Our new members usually stumble across our site looking for answers........

To the member who started this post, PLEASE take your dietary comments and soliciting elsewhere.  I pray you do not have MS........

Those of us here on the MS forum help and listen to each other....we do not debate....

terri

[COBOB]

Well stated.

[jensequitur]

Applause!