My understanding is that while MS isn't usually fatal, that a higher level of disability can cause the body to be more susceptible to succumbing to potentially fatal health problems like pneumonia, heart failure and so on.

I get it when people like Blessings2You post that "I'm always bothered when people get the idea that it's "just" MS, nothing really serious" though. I know my family have become so used to me that when I say 'I am really having a bad day....' or 'my MS is wiping me out - or causing pain in my legs - or making me dizzy - or making it hard to breathe....' it's becoming like 'ho hum....here she goes again...'

Lyn