These symptoms may occur in any combination. They may come and go, and may vary from mild to very severe. At present, there is no way to predict when or even if attacks of the disease will occur. Symptoms not only vary greatly from person to person but may also vary from time to time in the same person. The most typical pattern of MS is marked by periods of active disease or attacks, called exacerbations or relapses, followed by quiet periods called remissions.
Some People have few attacks and little if any disability accumulates over time.
This means they have exacerbations which take place unpredictably, followed by periods of partial or total remissions, which may last several months or even years. Still others experience a progressive disease course with steadily worsening symptoms. But people with progressive MS may still experience attacks and partial remissions. Thus, the disease ranges from very mild to intermittent to steadily progressive. Because MS affects individuals so differently, it is difficult to make generalizations about the extent of disability any one person may sustain.