If you have read about secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) or been told by your doctor that you have this kind of disease course, you may be wondering what it is, how it differs from other disease courses in MS, and what the available treatment options are. And you may be looking for information about the research that is being done on SPMS.
The name for this disease course comes from the fact that it follows after the relapsing-remitting course. Of the 85% of people who are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), most will eventually transition to SPMS, which means that the disease will begin to progress more steadily (although not necessarily more quickly), with or without any relapses (also called attacks or exacerbations).