Some days, it feels really bad, your vision gets worse, your body feels weak... But after a while, all of this gets better. After a while, these symptoms reappear. Have you had this experience? This is the nature of RRMS, the most common type of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Because of the nature of these symptoms, it is normal to feel a lot of worry and fear at times. Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is RRMS simply?
RRMS stands for `(Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis)`. This is the most common type of `(Multiple Sclerosis)` or MS. About 80 to 85 out of 100 MS patients have this condition.
This has a meaning in its name.
- Relapsing: This refers to the sudden appearance of new symptoms or the worsening of existing symptoms. This can last from a few days to a few weeks. This is also called a ``flare-up`` or ``exacerbation``.
- Remitting: This is when the symptoms of the disease that were exacerbated gradually disappear or subside completely over time. During this time, you can live a normal life without any symptoms.
Think of it like a storm. Suddenly, symptoms come like a storm and make you uncomfortable. Then the storm calms down, and then it's quiet again for a while. That's the nature of RRMS.
The disease is classified in this way to help you and your doctor understand the course of the disease and choose the treatment that is most suitable for you.
What are the common symptoms seen in RRMS?
The symptoms of RRMS can vary greatly from person to person, but there are a few common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Vision changes | Things like blurred vision, colors not appearing properly, double vision, and pain when moving the eyes. |
| Tingling or loss of sensation | A tingling sensation in various parts of the body, such as the hands, legs, and face. Sometimes, there may be no sensation in those areas. |
| Chest/abdominal tightness | It feels like someone is hugging you tightly around your chest or stomach. Some people also call this an "MS hug." |
| Unimaginable fatigue | An overwhelming, indescribable tiredness that you feel even after sleeping well. This is very different from normal tiredness. |
| Urinary and bowel problems | Problems such as not being able to stop when you need to urinate (urgency), or having difficulty starting when you want to urinate (hesitation). |
| A feeling like an electric shock. | When you bend your neck forward, you may feel like an electric shock is going down your spine. |
| Difficulty walking and muscle problems | You lose your balance when walking, your muscles become weak, or you feel stiff. |
| Problems with memory and attention | It becomes difficult to remember things, and you can't focus on one thing. This is also called ``Brain fog''. |
During a flare-up, several of these symptoms may occur together. For some people, these symptoms disappear completely during remission. For others, some symptoms may persist. But don't worry , there are treatments available to manage these persistent symptoms.
What factors contribute to the increase in these symptoms?
Sometimes you may find that certain things make your symptoms worse. We call these ``Triggers.'' But remember, what affects one person may not affect another.
- Stress: Symptoms may appear during times of high stress.
- Temperature: Extreme heat, and sometimes even extreme cold, can increase symptoms.
- Infections: Even a minor infection, such as a cold or a urinary tract infection, can cause old MS symptoms to reappear.
- Smoking: The use of tobacco products is a cause of exacerbation of the disease.
- Vitamin D deficiency: Low levels of vitamin D in the body can also affect.
Why does MS develop? What is the cause?
The exact cause of MS is not yet known, but it is considered an autoimmune condition .
Simply put, our body's defense system (immune system) mistakenly attacks healthy parts of our own body. In MS, this attack is directed at our central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
To be precise, the protective covering around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord is damaged. We call this ``Myelin''. It's like the plastic sheath around an electrical wire. When this sheath is damaged, nerve messages don't travel properly. That's when the symptoms we've been talking about appear.
Research has found that this may be influenced by a genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as the Epstein-Barr virus.
How is RRMS diagnosed?
Diagnosing MS can be challenging because there is no single, definitive test. Your doctor will use your symptoms, medical history, and the results of several tests to come to a conclusion.
- MRI scan: This can look for areas of damage (injuries/scars) to the nerve sheath (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord.
- Lumbar Puncture: This involves taking spinal fluid and looking for signs of MS-like oligoclonal bands. These can give some idea of whether there is inflammation in the brain/spinal cord.
- Blood tests: These help rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms to MS.
- OCT scan (Optical Coherence Tomography): This is a painless test that scans the nerves at the back of the eye (the retina). It can check for damage to the optic nerves due to MS.
What are the treatments for RRMS?
Although there is no cure for MS, there are very effective treatments available today that can control the disease and change its course.
The main goals of these treatments are:
- Reducing the number of relapses.
- Reducing new damage to the nervous system.
- Slowing down the rate at which symptoms worsen.
These medications come in several forms, including injections, oral medications, and intravenous infusions, such as saline.
These medications are commonly called ``Disease-Modifying Agents'' (DMTs). They work by changing the nature of the disease and preventing future damage to the nervous system. Therefore , it is very important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Be sure to talk openly with your doctor about what treatment is best for you and what the side effects are. He or she will provide you with the best solution.
What will life be like with this disease?
It's normal to feel scared and anxious when you learn that you have a chronic illness like this. But the truth is, even with MS, you can live a long, happy, and successful life.
There have been great advances in MS treatments in the past few years, making it much easier to control the course of the disease.
After some people have had RRMS for a while, they may develop a condition where symptoms gradually increase, but the number of relapses decreases. This is called ``Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)``. However, with early and proper treatment, this condition can be prevented or delayed.
When should you see your doctor?
- If you develop new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse.
- If the treatment causes side effects.
- If you have any questions or concerns about the disease.
Take-Home Message
- RRMS is the most common type of MS, and it is characterized by cycles of relapse and remission.
- Symptoms vary from person to person. Vision problems, tingling, and extreme fatigue are common.
- Although there is no specific cause for this, it is considered an autoimmune disease.
- Although the disease cannot be completely cured, there are very effective treatments (DMTs) today to control the disease and prevent nerve damage.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the future.
- Talk openly with your doctor about your condition, treatment, and any questions you have.
- Living with a chronic illness can be mentally challenging. Don't hesitate to seek the support of a mental health professional if needed.
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