PROGRESSIVE MS

Progressive MS is known by its steadily worsening neurologic functions with or without clear relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements, but declining neurologic progression is continuous. 

There are two types of progressive MS: Primary or secondary.

Progressive MS is still an area not really tackled yet, and so far, all the interest was paid for relapsing and remitting type of MS. I can understand that very well and I have to be fair and unfair in this area.

I can understand the amount of attention paid to RRMS, and that has it is own reasons . . . some practical and some financial no doubt.

Among the practical reasons:

1. RRMS is an active disease and it is still in the inflammatory stage where reversibility is possible, and prevention of complications is still possible.
2. RRMS mostly affects people of younger age and they are still in their active lives from family making to career seeking. This group of patients deserve utmost attention.
3. Relapses are of short duration of time, hence, it is possible to monitor disease activity while treating.

Among the financial reasons:

1. Most of the research is sponsored by drug companies who with no doubt their main interest is making money !. They prefer research work which can produce fruits in a short period of time.
2. Research duration is relatively short (3 – 6 months), and that would remain economic even for an expensive drugs.
3. It is also good and practical for research people themselves as they can get the outcome while they are engaged in a post-graduate degree preparations.

That is fine for RRMS, but it should not be on the expense of progressive MS. Progressive MS affects people, and interferes with their lives. People are people irrespective of their age, activity, and life engagements. Hence, this area is devoted for progressive MS to give hope to those who suffer from this type of MS.

In this area, I am going to discuss the latest understanding of progressive MS, latest trials, latest hopes, and the futuristic thinking .

This page, as this website is very much open to contributions, and participation in every shape and form. Adding information, correcting given information, asking relevant questions, and expressing concerns especially from the sufferers. I am fully with patients who suffer from progressive MS and I will do everything at my disposal to help them.