Pshrink, I don't dispute that "labeling" per se can have an adverse influence, or be a lazy convenience, or be a human foible.
Medically, I think it is important to identify a specific diagnosis (or apply a "label" if you prefer) for purposes of planning effective treatment, and for many patients, to set the mind at ease after years of being told "there is nothing wrong with you."
As defined in medical journals, the term "benign MS" means a patient has had MS for 15 or more years and has a Kurtz EDSS less than 2. My neurologist says I have "benign RRMS," but he is not saying that I do not have MS, that I do not have RRMS, that I do not need treatment, or that I will not develop SPMS. Just that I've had MS a long time but my disability score is low.
As far as insurance, it is the "RRMS" diagnosis that merits the DMT coverage. I do not think there is even an ICD-9 code for "benign" MS. I spent 12 years as a health insurance executive, but quit that job 6 years ago, so this may have changed.
As I understand it, the "medical profession" as a whole has not decided that the term "benign MS" is needed; it remains controversial, since even those who believe in "benign MS" acknowledge the nature of the disease can change tomorrow.
As Marco pointed out, there may be two distinct phases of MS - an early inflammatory phase, followed by less inflammation and more decay and nerve damage. Some MS patients may pass through the inflammatory phase and then "burn out" or stabilize, no further progression. Right now that description applies to me, and may be why I am labeled "benign."
"Manic-depressive" vs "Bi-polar disorder" is (in my cynical opinion) a function of the availability of expensive and profitable drugs that are FDA approved for treatment of "bi-polar disorder." Lithium is generic, relatively inexpensive, and was used for years for "manic-depressive disorder." I don't think either term is warm and fuzzy, but that's just me.
My technical German is limited, but German does sometimes create a new word by compressing several older words into one word to convey a new meaning, much more than seen in English. Bottom line though I don't know for sure, I suspect this "labeling" is not strictly a matter of comparative linguistics.
Another bottom line, to answer the OP's question - nobody really knows how RRMS, or any other form of this disease works. Yet. I hope we get there, soon.
Medically, I think it is important to identify a specific diagnosis (or apply a "label" if you prefer) for purposes of planning effective treatment, and for many patients, to set the mind at ease after years of being told "there is nothing wrong with you."
As defined in medical journals, the term "benign MS" means a patient has had MS for 15 or more years and has a Kurtz EDSS less than 2. My neurologist says I have "benign RRMS," but he is not saying that I do not have MS, that I do not have RRMS, that I do not need treatment, or that I will not develop SPMS. Just that I've had MS a long time but my disability score is low.
As far as insurance, it is the "RRMS" diagnosis that merits the DMT coverage. I do not think there is even an ICD-9 code for "benign" MS. I spent 12 years as a health insurance executive, but quit that job 6 years ago, so this may have changed.
As I understand it, the "medical profession" as a whole has not decided that the term "benign MS" is needed; it remains controversial, since even those who believe in "benign MS" acknowledge the nature of the disease can change tomorrow.
As Marco pointed out, there may be two distinct phases of MS - an early inflammatory phase, followed by less inflammation and more decay and nerve damage. Some MS patients may pass through the inflammatory phase and then "burn out" or stabilize, no further progression. Right now that description applies to me, and may be why I am labeled "benign."
"Manic-depressive" vs "Bi-polar disorder" is (in my cynical opinion) a function of the availability of expensive and profitable drugs that are FDA approved for treatment of "bi-polar disorder." Lithium is generic, relatively inexpensive, and was used for years for "manic-depressive disorder." I don't think either term is warm and fuzzy, but that's just me.
My technical German is limited, but German does sometimes create a new word by compressing several older words into one word to convey a new meaning, much more than seen in English. Bottom line though I don't know for sure, I suspect this "labeling" is not strictly a matter of comparative linguistics.
Another bottom line, to answer the OP's question - nobody really knows how RRMS, or any other form of this disease works. Yet. I hope we get there, soon.
but that's ok. 
I wear a headcovering anyway, so no one would really know or see. It's just that it's THAT difficult to wash my hair and care for it daily (brushing, putting up, taking down, etc.).
Look at it this way, in an ideal situation - at least we're not getting worse. 
Comment