Relapsing Remitting MS
If you have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and you’d like to purchase a term or whole life insurance policy, we can help!
We consider ourselves experts on the matter and know which life insurance companies will offer you the best rates. We work with individuals like yourself on a daily basis, and we’ve helped hundreds of people with MS secure the lowest rates on their life insurance policies.
Please contact one of our multiple sclerosis life insurance specialists today to obtain the lowest life insurance rates possible.
Multiple Sclerosis presents itself differently with every person it effects, however there are four general types of MS.
The most common type of MS is Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). When individuals in their twenties and thirties are first diagnosed with MS, approximately 85% are diagnosed with RRMS. RRMS is generally characterized as relapses, exacerbations, or flare-ups, which can last anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks, followed by complete or partial remission. In individuals who have an RRMS diagnosis the disease is not progressing.
Expected Life Insurance Rates with Relapsing Remitting MS
With relapsing-remitting MS, you can expect to receive “Standard” rates as a BEST CASE SCENARIO.
Standard rates mean you’re an average risk.
Most or our controlled relapsing-remitting MS clients fall within a table 2 to table 4 health classification. Many companies will give you a much worse health classification. We know the companies that look most favorably at your risk.
Your health classification depends on the severity of your symptoms, treatment and prognosis which we discuss below.
A good rule of thumb is if you think you’re paying too much, give us a call! We’re experts and work with our clients who have MS every day.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms in a relapse, exacerbations or flare-up can include fatigue; difficulty walking and loss of balance; vision problems (usually the first symptom for most people); numbness or tingling in the face, body, arms or legs; weakness; dizziness or vertigo causing one to feel off-balance; bladder dysfunction; bowel problems (either constipation or loss of control); sexual dysfunction; cognitive changes; depression; and/or chronic pain.
Less common MS symptoms can include itching (the feeling of pins and needles); hearing loss; headaches; trouble breathing; uncontrollable shaking; and/or problems swallowing.
No two people with multiple sclerosis will have identical symptoms in the exact same places. This is due to the varying locations of damage that occur within the nerves and surrounding nerve fibers within one’s body.
Describing the symptoms of your multiple sclerosis to your life insurance agent will help you get an accurate quote.
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Once a physician has ruled out any other likely causes of the symptoms, they will likely order some tests. These tests can include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual evoked potentials (VEP) testing, and/or an analysis of spinal cord fluid. These tests will help the doctor determine if the patient has experienced any damage in the central nervous system. If the doctor can confirm at least two separate areas of damage – known as dissemination in space – within the central nervous system that have occurred in two separate points in time – known as dissemination in time – they will likely diagnose the patient with multiple sclerosis.
Individuals with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis typically experience more plaque/scars on their brain, also known as lesions, which contain more inflammatory cells. These lesions are identified on MRIs. This is compared to individuals with PPMS who tend to have more spinal lesions containing less inflamed cells.
Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with RRMS than their male counterparts.
Treatment
There are currently five injectable medications which have been approved by the FDA for treating RRMS. These medications are Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia, and Rebif. Three oral medications which have been approved by the FDA for treating RRMS include Aubagio (a once daily tablet), Gilenya (a once daily tablet), and Tecfidera (a twice daily tablet).
Two infused medications currently exist for treating RRMS, the first of which is called Tysabri. Tysabri is used initially in fighting RRMS, and is infused once every four weeks. Once a doctor has determined that RRMS is worsening and is not responding favorably to the above-listed medications, he or she might prescribe Novantrone, a chemotherapy drug. All of these medications have been shown to decrease the number of new lesions and number of relapses. They may also slow the progression of the disease, with the exception of the injections Betaseron, Copaxone, and Extavia.