Treating And Managing Multiple Sclerosis

8. Plasma Exchange

Plasmapheresis, commonly known as plasma exchange, is a procedure to cleanse the blood. This is done by separating the plasma, which is the liquid portion of the blood, from the red and white blood cells. A plasma replacement fluid (such as plasma from a donor, or a plasma substitute) is then mixed with these cells, then transfused back into the patient. Plasma exchange is sometimes used by people with multiple sclerosis to manage relapses. A greater chance of improvement has been seen in those with a relapsing form of MS, especially in men, those with Marburg variant MS, and those who start treatment within 20 days of the onset of symptoms. However, there hasn’t been evidence of improvement for those with primary progressive MS or secondary progressive MS.