What Can I Expect?

The life expectancy with MS is within 5 years of anybody else. The big concern is always disability. Many of you already have a picture of someone in a wheelchair. However, the majority of our patients are walking independently, leading gratifying and productive lives. Others with disability are remarkably adaptive so they can continue to work and many travel the world. On average, attacks such as visual loss or numbness can last days to few months. The relapses tend to occur once a year without treatment and likely less on treatment.

Although the diagnosis may seem overwhelming to some of you, the goal will be to help you adapt to the diagnosis and meet this challenge. With many treatments available and many new treatments in development, living well with multiple sclerosis will be more the rule than the exception. Seek your aspirations by taking positive steps for yourself.