Benign MS: Is It Real or a Myth?

What is benign MS? Does it even exist? Certainly it is not one of the types of the disease often listed as making up the multiple sclerosis family.

It is a term that is surrounded by controversy, not least among neurologists themselves.

Some believe that those who go 10 years without a significant disability are unlikely to reach the point where they need assistance to walk. In fact, they also believe people in this category may be able to stop treatment. Many neurologists, however, treat benign MS as a myth. They dismiss the classification and don’t make treatment decisions based on a “benign” designation.

When I was first diagnosed with MS, my neurologist at the time told me several things. My medical records indicated I had MS way back in my early to mid-20s, he said. At the time of my diagnosis, I was 49. He also said my MS was benign.

Because it had taken so many years to develop, he said, he saw no reason why it should develop faster in the future.

He was wrong.

My diagnosis was 15 years ago next month and, in the years since, the disease worsened more rapidly than in the previous 27 years. Of course, we do know that MS is a progressive illness.

So, what happened in those 15 years?

Walking

2002 – Slight difficulty with dragging left foot. Had to think about walking, every step. Walked unaided.

2017 –  Unable to walk more than 10 to 15 yards. Use wheelchair to travel any longer distance.

Standing

2002 – Not affected significantly.

2017 – Unable to stand longer than two to three minutes.

Stairs/steps

2002 – Slow but manageable.

2017 – Two, maybe three, one at a time, holding on to rail.

Getting up from sitting or lying down

2002 – No real issues.

2017 – Not easy but grab handles make it more manageable.

Driving

2002 – Able to drive manual car.

2017 – Only able to drive automatic car because my left foot could not make clutch pedal in an emergency.

Carrying and lifting

2002 – Still manageable but not as easy as it used to be.

2017 – Hopeless. Left hand can’t hold anything and arm too weak to lift. Right hand needs to hold onto something to make falls less likely.

Falls

2002 – Very occasional.

2017 – Much better than 10 years ago, my worst time. Falls are better managed now.

Bladder issues

2002 – Urgency and frequency problems, treated by medication. Wore incontinence pads.

2017 – Same medication, occasional use of pads.

Current health

Today, I know I have progressive MS. Although it has taken a firmer hold over the years, it could be far worse, and for that I am grateful. My most recent MRI (in Russia) indicated that all my lesions are inactive. This means that, while the disease is still with me, it is not rampant.

I certainly feel that moving to Spain, which has a sunnier climate and laid-back lifestyle, has been positive — and don’t forget a vitamin D supplement.

MS still makes an infection far worse, and it is likely to kick in a bout of fatigue. But, heh, you can’t have everything.

This article, written by me, was first published by Multiple Sclerosis News Today.

50shadesofsun.com is the personal website of Ian Franks, who is Managing Editor (columns division) of BioNews Services. BioNews is owner of 50 disease/disorder-specific news and information websites – including MS News Today. Ian has enjoyed a successful career as a journalist, from reporter to editor, in the print media. During that career he gained a Journalist of the Year award in his native UK. He was diagnosed with MS in 2002 but continued working until mobility problems forced him to retire early in late 2006. He now lives in the south of Spain. Besides MS, Ian is also able to write about both epilepsy and cardiovascular matters from a patient’s perspective and is a keen advocate on mobility and accessibility issues.

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