What is relapsing remitting MS?

If you have just been diagnosed with MS, you may also have been told something about the type of MS you appear to have.

Relapsing remitting MS is the most common type of MS. It affects around 85 per cent of all people diagnosed.

'Relapsing remitting' is a label for your MS which, when it's understood, can help to explain it to others and help you to find the best treatments. But it is still a broad label, which cannot predict exactly how MS will affect you. MS is only one aspect of your life and how you manage it will depend as much on you and your circumstances as on which 'type' you have.

You might want to find out everything you can straight away, or you might feel like taking it slowly. There's no right way to react, but knowing a little about your type of MS and what it might bring can be helpful for planning ahead, recognising and managing the symptoms and adapting to changes over the years.

This booklet covers:

• what is relapsing remitting MS?
• what is a relapse?
• will I make a complete recovery?
• are there things that bring on or prevent relapses?
• managing relapsing remitting MS
• further information

This booklet is also available to order as an audio CD (see below).

About our publications

We offer printed booklets, large print, other languages and audio versions (selected titles only). To order or for help with your questions about MS, call our Information Team on 020 8438 0799 (Monday to Friday 9am-4pm) or email infoteam@mssociety.org.uk. 

You can also order direct from this website.

Health or social care professionals and MS Society branches can order bulk copies here.