RRMS or SPMS
I was diagnosed with RRMS in 1983 after a bout of Optic Neuritis in my left eve from which I recovered 100% with out medication. After that I only had one other exacerbation and that was 10 years later in 1993 when I had double vision,this symptom also resolved by itself without medication. I do have some other symptoms that have progressed very slowly over the next 25 years but I have been able to manage them and I don't have any mobility issues I think my EDSS is 3 or 4. My question is why am I still classified as RRMS if I haven't had a relapse in 25 years?
@crisswell , that's a good question. I find the transition from Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) to Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) to be very subjective. In your case, would your lack of relapse activity been down to benign MS, the effective use of a Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) or you've transitioned to SPMS? I don't believe that question can be answered, so you continue what you're doing as it must be working - quid pro quo (is that the right Latin phrase?). If you were to have your diagnosis amended to SPMS, you may not be eligible for any DMT. Would you want that? So, retaining the RRMS label ensures the status quo (more latin!)..........
Thanks stumbler, "If you were to have your diagnosis amended to SPMS, you may not be eligible for any DMT" yes maybe that is the reason that doctors are reluctant to change a diagnosis from RRMS to SPMS.