I am a 21 year old Caucasian female. About 2 months ago, I developed optic neuritis, and my recent MRI gave me a 53% chance of developing the disease within 5 years. My question for you: Assuming that I do develop it, can anyone give me a general prognosis? I know that it is unpredictable, but I also heard that certain conditions/symptoms lead to a generally better prognosis of MS (i.e. younger onset, visual/sensory rather than fatigue-like symptoms, etc.).

To Student007,

I found some info for you regarding M.S... I see your concern about the optic neuritis and it being a possible early sign. However, this article states that that may be ESPECIALLY IF TESTS ALSO REVEAL ABNORMALITIES IN SPINAL FLUID.
I'll give you the link.
Also, I have to tell you my sister in law was found to have M.S.( plaques) 7 yrs. Ago, and she has very little in the way of symptoms. Complains a little of headaches, but remarkably nothing else. She also works full time (she's 49) so she functions well,even though I haven't seen her in 5 yrs. I talk to her.
Also, look at Montel Williams(t.v. show host) He's had M.S. for about 5 yrs. And is looking well.
Please remember that you don't have M.S. right now. So you may be fortunate enough to not develop it at all. Take Care.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/m...s.htm#54383215

Thanks... that's quite reassurring. Just to let you know, I got my MRI results, and basically, here's what they were:

A huge abnormality in the left optical nerve (a "hot spot", which I think was expected due to my optic neurits), plus numerous abnormalities around it, but the neurologist said that they may be due to the optic neuritis (kind of branched off from the one large abnormality). These abnormalities are not lesions (I think), but are rather autoimmune inflammations. This means very little to me, so if anyone can make something out of this, clarification would be much appreciated.

Thank you very much.