Is my MS inactive?

Question:
​I was diagnosed in january 2012 with an attack of optic neuritis. They classified my MS as inactve. All my lesions in my brain were not active and I have been told that I have had it for years. Can they classify it as inactive after a first official attack?? I have not had any flares since then, only symptoms worsened due to stress or heat but went away by using a short course of steroids. Thank you.

Answer:
Activity is defined by the presence of definite new MRI lesions or definite relapses in the prior year. Therefore, based on your history it is appropriate to term you inactive since January 2013.

​Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of California San Diego