Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

This is when someone has a single episode of symptoms or a relapse, and the MRI doesn’t show any activity or it shows little activity. This maybe an early sign of MS, therefore people with CIS are referred to the MS Team to monitor for further activity.

Some people with CIS may be eligible for Disease Modifying Therapy’s, there are strict eligibility criteria’s to access the medications, chat this through with your MS Team. (See DMT Section)

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

This is the most common type of MS, 85% of people diagnosed have this form. People have a sudden onset of symptoms which are constant and then make recovery, either fully or partially (see relapse section). This is followed by a period of stability. Typically more females have RRMS than men.

Active RRMS is when someone is having frequent relapses and/or there has been activity on their MRI scan. Either as an increased amount of lesions or that the lesions have enhanced (lit up by the dye that was injected at the time of the MRI).

Some people with RRMS may be eligible for Disease Modifying Therapy’s, there are strict eligibility criteria’s to access the medications, chat this through with your MS Team. (See DMT Section)

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

SPMS develops after someone has had RRMS, natural history studies show us that it takes about 20 years to change from RRMS to SPMS. However with the use of DMT`s this length of time has lengthened. To diagnose SPMS, you have had to have had relapses initially and then a 6 month period without relapses and a worsening of your symptoms. This can be a difficult for people to accept, it is important to remember that progression can follow with long periods of stability.

While moving from one type to the other, the person with MS can still have relapses, this is often confusing for people as they then wonder if they still have RRMS.

Some people with SPMS may be eligible for Disease Modifying Therapy’s, there are strict eligibility criteria’s to access the medications, chat this through with your MS Team. (See DMT Section)

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

15% of people have PPMS, it is different from RRMS as people have a progressive form of the disease from the onset of their symptoms. Even though progression starts early there can be long periods of stability. The average age of diagnosis for PPMS is usually in the forties, however it can be younger or older.  Interestingly, equal amounts of males and females have PPMS.

Some people with PPMS may be eligible for Disease Modifying Therapy’s, there are strict eligibility criteria’s to access the medications, chat this through with your MS Team. (See DMT Section)