How long has anyone gone with no relapses?

[Gsd mom]

A little over a year ago I received my MS diagnosis. I have been on copaxone for the last year. I have just had my mri follow-up and there has been NO changes!

I'm just wondering how long people have gone with no changes in MRI and have also had no flares/relapse or any symptoms??? I can't help but wonder when my luck may run out!

[loopey]

I understand how you feel. I was dx in October 2011 and went on Aubgio. Since then I haven't had a relapse. At least I don't think I have. Some days my symptoms seem so much worse that it scares me but my MRI's show no new lesions. I am finally getting to the point that I am not afraid every day waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[PositiveMS]

12 years

I was diagnosed at 18 and had my frist relapse at 30. The lat four years have been a challenge, though.

[Cat Mom]

I was dx in 2005, started Rebif which didn't work. Switched to Copaxone in Aug 2007, had 1 steroid-worthy relapse in Jan 2008 then again Jan 2009.

Haven't had a relapse since but my MRI from Sept 2013 showed a few more lesions/mild progression with no relapse in 4 years. Big bummer!

Jen

[andi b]

diagnosed Sept 2010

On avonex since Nov 2010. No relapses at all so far... knock wood.

[502E79]

I have gone with no changes in MRI and have also had no flares (?) for 6 years.

I also don't know what relapse or remission really mean despite having a dx of RRMS.

The same sx just continue to get worse, but very slowly.

Neuro claims a victory for "C," I am not so sure.

He sees what he wants to see. I live it.

Jer

[ru4cats]

I just had my 6th (at least, I've forgotten how many) MRI, and there have been no changes since my first in 2010. No new lesions, to active lesions since I started Tysabri. My progression continues, but this is due to the damage begun before diagnosis. Life goes on.

[Mamabug]

I used to have relapses once or twice a year. (Too many, so my doc switched me to a different med.)

Then, I went about 2 years without, but this year, it's been back to twice.

Much less severe relapses, though, since the change in meds, so I can deal with it.

~ Faith

[jessiesmom]

Time without Relapse

It has been 10 years since my diagnosis and I have not had a single relapse in that time. I took Rebif for 8 years, took 1 year off and then began Tecfidera. I have been very fortunate. I wish everyone could have the same experience.

[Gsd mom]

Wow! Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I guess every case is truly different! It seems we really need to take 1 day at a time....and be grateful for the good ones!

[Mable]

I was diagnosed at the end 2011 and went on Copaxone. My baseline MRI showed 14 lesions and my lumbar puncture showed plenty of OG bands. But since my dx, I've had no new lesions and no relapses. I believe I am a "responder."

I take lots of vitamin D and stay physically active as a little extra insurance.

For a LOT of extra insurance, I'm going to switch to a more aggressive therapy soon. But that's a whole other thread.

[SNOOPY]

My relapses have been quite spaced out.

One in each year -

1985 - 1986 - 1993 - 2001 - 2002 and it appears, but not confirmed 2014. So, 12 years is the longest I have gone without an exacerbation.

I have never used any of the MS treatments and my MRIs have shown improvements as well as being "stable" for several years.

[Jola]

Had 4 relapses since being diagnosed a year ago. First mri had 6 lesions, newest mri has 150 lesions and black holes.

[Mamabug]

Jola --
My MS Specialist told me that if you are having more than one relapse per year, your DMD (med) is not working effectively.
If you're on a med, you might want to consider asking your doc about a switch. If you are not on a med, maybe you should consider it.

I switched from Betaseron to Copaxone in 2008, because I had been having two relapses per year, prior to that. I've had about 4 relapses since 2008, since making the switch. The interferons didn't work well for me. If I'd been on Copaxone, I probably would've switched to an interferon instead. Some work better for some people than others.

~ Faith

[Lianne]

I've had MS since 1985. No drugs taken until 2012 (and then just LDN) and although I don't have dates written down, I'm pretty sure the longest was at least five years without a relapse.