Stress does NOT cause MS BUT it can cause an increase in exacerbations in multiple sclerosis folks.

jackD

BMJ. 2003 Sep 20;327(7416):646.

Self reported stressful life events and exacerbations in multiple sclerosis: prospective study.

Buljevac D, Hop WC, Reedeker W, Janssens AC, van der Meché FG, van Doorn PA, Hintzen RQ.
SourceDepartment of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Postbox 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between self reported stressful life events not related to multiple sclerosis and the occurrence of exacerbations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Outpatient clinic of department of neurology in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 18-55 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, who could walk with a cane or better (score of 0-6.0 on the expanded disability status scale), and had had at least two exacerbations in 24 months before inclusion in the study. Patients with other serious conditions were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The risk of increased disease activity as measured by the occurrence of exacerbations after weeks with stressful events.

RESULTS: Seventy out of 73 included patients (96%) reported at least one stressful event. In total, 457 stressful life events were reported that were not related to multiple sclerosis. Average follow up time was 1.4 years. Throughout the study, 134 exacerbations occurred in 56 patients and 136 infections occurred in 57 patients. Cox regression analysis with time dependent variables showed that stress was associated with a doubling of the exacerbation rate (relative risk 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.0, P = 0.014) during the subsequent four weeks. Infections were associated with a threefold increase in the risk of exacerbation, but this effect was found to be independent of experienced stress.

CONCLUSION: Stressful events were associated with increased exacerbations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. This association was independent of the triggering effect of infections on exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

Comment in
BMJ. 2004 Jan 31;328(7434):287; author reply 287.
PMID:14500435[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC196389

I've read about something called the "Marburg variant" of MS that apparently works it's way quickly thru a person, but it's supposed to be extremely rare.

I wondered if Richard Pryor was one of those that was unlucky to have the Marburg variant, since it seemed like he went downhill fairly quickly after he announced his MS (or I'm just thinking it went quickly for him because he didnt do much entertainment-wise fairly soon after he announced it)

Richard Pryor was one of my most favorite actor/comedians when I was growing up. (yes, my parents let me and my sister listen to some of his more...risque comedy concerts when we were little) Loved all his movies that he did with Gene Wilder...I wish I didnt have MS in common with him tho...I wish that he hadnt had it either now that I know what it's like. (I wish no one had MS. It would be nice if "MS" only stood for "Microsoft")

They say it's not fatal, but that's not entirely true.

I very nearly died of a brainstem lesion at the age of 30. I'm in my forties now.

It happened very suddenly, and put me in the Critical Care Unit (worse than ICU) in the hospital.

My heart rate and blood pressure were extremely low, HR 25 bpm, my heart could have stopped at any time because of this lesion.

Luckily, I did eventually recover from that, but it was a long road. They said my youth helped me and I believe that.

Not trying to scare anybody, but people deserve to know the truth IMO.

Like somebody else mentioned, I'm more concerned with quality of life rather than shortened life when it comes to this disease; but yes it can kill you.

I agree and thank you for sharing your experience.

Imvho there is far too much secrecy and denial within the MS community and I wonder if that hasn’t in part contributed to the lack of progress we have seen in MS research.

I know this might not be a popular comparison but to me it smacks of when HIV was first identified and basically ignored for years. When I think of how many people who died unnecessarily from what is now a treatable disease it breaks my heart.

EDSS 10 = death from MS

Yes, it is possible. About 95% of us will not die from MS though.