Is it a crock? Who knows. This disease is different for all of us and who's to say that for some MS may burn it's self out but not for others.

I have heard that statement made by more than one doctor but I have never heard how we would know if MS burns it's self out. Even if your MS burns it's self out I would really doubt the damage that you may already have will improve.

I do find the thought of this disease being able to burn it's self out quite interesting - so many unanswered questions

This quote or something similiar has been around on forums before and usually the old timers, such as me, jump in to dispute it.

It is an old wives tale that the damage stops at menopause.
Some people aren't even diagnosed until their late 50's and 60's.

Oh honey, I am definitely not new to MS or MS message boards.

So I guess you have more knowledge of this disease than MS Specialist and those well known doctors that now show up to speak at MS conferences.

It is true that even older people are being dx'd but that still does not mean MS can't burn it's self out for at least some....unless you have some proof other than your own experience to share.

BTW - I'm not saying it's true or not I just find it interesting.

MS is so so unpredictable, that the only thing that you can be sure of is it's unpredictability.

I had my first major exacerbation in 1974, went through early "Mini paws" starting in 1980, was in remission 'till my second excerbation from He**, in 1992 and SPMS by 1996.

I would have believed this old wives tale, back in the 80s, but not anymore. Stupid scummy disease.

Keep your hopes up, it's all we have.

I have a hard time calling it an old wives tale when neuros are still saying MS can burn it's self out....It's not like PwMS keep this going it's the neuro's that are telling their patients.

Is it true....who knows. If someone has managed to have MS burn out I don't think you will find them on a MS message board

And what does burning it's self out really mean?

Like I have said before the concept of MS burning out is very intersesting to me.

Hi Snoopy

What burning itself out means to me is that some PwMS may reach a plateau, when they are no longer having exacerbations..SPMS, maybe.

I am at a plateau and have been, since my start with LDN. I like to think that the LDN has stopped my progression, but who really knows for sure. It may just be the nature of my particular MS.

Right now, the only thing I am progressing in, is AGE
, and they haven't found a cure for that either! As far as the "Old Wive's Tale" , I'll change that to "A Condecending Old Neuro's Tale"

Sorry Snoopy, but there is no scientific proof that women "burn out" at menopause. Some may and some may not, depending on the course of their MS, but I doubt if it has anything to do with "The Change of Life" .

Hugs,

I totally agree - there is no scientific proof that MS does or does not burn out nor do I think it has anything to do with menopause.

My thought on what *burn out* means is pretty close to what you wrote.