A diagnosis of MS is not a death sentence. Multiple sclerosis is not fatal, except in very rare circumstances.

During advanced stages of disease progression, it is possible to die from complications related to MS (such as infections or pneumonia).  However, that is far from common. In fact, the leading causes of death in the MS community are the same as the general population. Someone with MS is more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, or stroke than from multiple sclerosis.