Four types of SPMS and their different treatment styles

[Mamabug]

https://www.webmd.com/multiple-scler...atment%20style.

I found this article helpful. It lists four types of SPMS:

• Active SPMS
• Active-Progressing SPMS
• Non-Active Progressing SPMS
• Stable SPMS

I think I've either been in, or transitioning to SPMS for about 4-5 years. Actually, I believe I'm there.

I used to dread it, but, for me, it currently isn't that bad. Initially, I noticed a lot of progression (Non-Active Progressing SPMS). But, currently, for about the past two years, I've been stable (Stable SPMS), much more stable than I often was in the past -- probably because of alternative things I'm doing to remain as healthy as I can.

I haven't had an MS flare since 2014; it's good to know that those are likely in my past rather than in my present and my future.

[KoKo]

Thanks for the article, Mamabug.

Very interesting about how the treatment protocol can change, which is dependent on the behavior of SPMS.

[SNOOPY]

I haven't had an MS flare since 2014; it's good to know that those are likely in my past rather than in my present and my future.

Hi Mamabug.

Nice to hear you haven't had a relapse in 6 years I would think most of us that started out as RR appreciate going a long time without a relapse. Unfortunately, it is possible to have relapses when SP

I was officially changed to SP in 2013 and I have had 2 relapses in that 7 years of "officially" being put in that category. I recovered a bit more slowly and do have residual from the 2 relapses.

I am hoping you do not experience any relapses and remain stable for the rest of your journey with this disease. BTW, even with the 2 relapses I am considered stable.

[Mamabug]

... Unfortunately, it is possible to have relapses when SP

...I am hoping you do not experience any relapses and remain stable for the rest of your journey with this disease. BTW, even with the 2 relapses I am considered stable.

Yes; it's possible to have relapses when SP; that's part of what my link says.

Hmmm; perhaps your neuro considers you stable even with relapses? That's different than the way the article defines stable SPMS. According to the info in the link, your SPMS would be one of the active types. They are the two types that include relapses.

I wonder if the type of SPMS that we experience remains the same once we reach it, or if it could change over time. I don't know anything about that. but that's what my SPMS seems to have done.

[SNOOPY]

My MRIs have shown less lesions with no new activity for quite some years, Neurological exam remains unchanged. I take one medication for MS (Gabapentin 300mg 2x a day). I still see benefits/improvements with PT and exercise.

Both relapses appeared to be connected to a current health issue. 2015 I had a cyst on the white part of my eyeball which needed to be surgically removed, at the same time I developed INO. 2020 I had a knee replacement and a few days after surgery I had numbness in both index fingers and thumbs.

[Mamabug]

Thanks for the article, Mamabug.

Very interesting about how the treatment protocol can change, which is dependent on the behavior of SPMS.

Yes; that's what drew me to the article. Based on his own research, my functional medicine doctor recommended that I talk to my MS specialist about tekfidera. I assumed that made sense because it could be used to treat SPMS.

When I discussed it with her, she said it wouldn't help me because I wasn't having flares and my MRI confirmed no new lesions.

I did some searching after I got home and found this article. It confirmed what my MS specialist said.