This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hi Everyone,

As my main area of reading is now everything to do with ms, i have many times come across terms like active and non active ms.

Does anyone know what this means? Is inactive ms just ms that is "asleep" and currently silent and not causing any problems?

Is it active when demyelination is occuring?

Is the aim of dmd's to help ms to remain inactive as long as possible as well as to help reduce flares and the possibility of disability?

Thanks

Elly

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The most recent research I have read indicated that demyelination is always occurring, whether the disease is active or not. Active, to me, means a relapse or flare which is more life altering than just being "normal".

You should be able to Google information about this topic or go to pubmed.com and find research there for active and inactive MS. Just because you feel good doesn't mean that you are not progressing inside your CNS.

gwa

Lyon wrote:I personally feel that the evidence shows that MS is always active to varying degrees and that when MS "seems" to be in remission or inactive, it's really only slowed to the point that plasticity is capable of hiding the damage from us.

I agree, it never stops, however if things are going well it progresses very slowly....

Since being diagnosed with MS, my neuro has always referred to me as having inactive MS. His explanation is that I have lesions, but they have never shown as enhanced lesions on my MRI, nor have I had any inflammation in the brain or the spinal cord. This being said, I have had a decrease in muscle and nerve function affecting the left leg. The neuro told me to expect an increase in disability. I do not take any prescribed medications, because they (CRABs) treat inflammation which I do not have.

Sharon

Sharon wrote:Since being diagnosed with MS, my neuro has always referred to me as having inactive MS. His explanation is that I have lesions, but they have never shown as enhanced lesions on my MRI, nor have I had any inflammation in the brain or the spinal cord. This being said, I have had a decrease in muscle and nerve function affecting the left leg. The neuro told me to expect an increase in disability. I do not take any prescribed medications, because they (CRABs) treat inflammation which I do not have.

Sharon

My MRI's are like yours. My most recent MRI was stable, no enhanced lesions. Are you sure you are not SPMS?

Yes, the neuro has placed me in the SPMS category. But, he also is saying the MS is not active - nerve degeneration is probably occuring but cannot be detected by the MRI.

Sharon

I think I am still considered RRMS, but wonder if I am really SPMS now. My last MRI did not show any inflammtion or new lesions either.