Current Treatments
BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.

COPAXONE is the brand name for glatiramer acetate (formerly known as copolymer-1). Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 – 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a purified 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of Rebif® is identical to that of natural fibroblast derived human interferon beta. Natural interferon beta and interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) are glycosylated with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody that affects the actions of the body's immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage. Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 		Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a phingosine 1-phosphate receptormodulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lympohcytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Early Symptoms
The most common early symptoms of MS include:
* Tingling * Numbness
* Loss of balance
* Weakness in one or more limbs
* Blurred or double vision

Less common symptoms of MS may include
* Slurred speech
* Sudden onset of paralysis
* Lack of coordination
* Cognitive difficulties
Listed above, the early symptoms. I tend to be a poster child for these. The symptoms that occur later on are too numerous just to list. There will be a link included that will get you to a site where these symptoms are listed and explained. Keep in mind that someone may have some of these or many of these, there is no way to tell.
Multiple sclerosis statistics show that approximately 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis is nearly the same as for those without MS. Because of this, multiple sclerosis statistics place the annual cost of MS in the United States in the billions of dollars. MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates -- such as those found in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe -- than in tropical regions. Furthermore, the age of 15 seems to be significant in terms of risk for developing the disease. Some studies indicate that a person moving from a high-risk (temperate) to a low-risk (tropical) area before the age of 15 tends to adopt the risk (in this case, low) of the new area and vice versa. Other studies suggest that people moving after age 15 maintain the risk of the area where they grew up.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Issue Briefs and Background

National MS Society Homepage




Call Now to Support Neurologists in Health Reform

More Info

MS activists must continue to shape the health care reform debate. The U.S. Senate is completing work on its comprehensive health reform bill, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). The bill includes many provisions that will help people with MS, but unfortunately leaves out important support for neurologists who are critical to effectively diagnosing and treating MS.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) has introduced an amendment with bipartisan support that would make neurologists eligible for a 10% Medicare payment incentive, to expand and ensure access to services needed by those with MS and other neurological conditions. As currently written, the Senate health reform bill would only provide incentive to family practitioners and those engaged in internal geriatric, or pediatric medicine.

Please take a minute to call both of your U.S. Senators and ask each to support Senator Klobuchar's neurology amendment. We are further than we ever have been before to seeing true progress in achieving accessible, affordable health coverage for all. Supporting neurologists is in line with the Society's National Health Care Reform Principles to provide unfettered access to appropriate medical providers and specialists and to offer appropriate and increased provider reimbursement rates to reflect the complex care required to treat those with MS and chronic illnesses.

Contact the Capitol Switchboard at 1-800-828-0498 and ask to speak with each of your U.S. Senators. Tell each of your Senators to support Senator Klobuchar's bipartisan neurology amendment to the Senate health reform bill, H.R. 3590.

Talking Points:

* I am a constituent and urge the Senator to support Senator Klobuchar's bipartisan neurology amendment to the Senate health reform bill, H.R. 3590.
* This amendment would make neurologists eligible for primary care incentives. As the bill is currently written, neurologists are the only physicians who regularly manage and coordinate care who cannot receive the incentive.
* Trained in diseases of the central nervous system, neurologists are often the best qualified physicians to diagnose and treat people with MS. There is no cure for MS, making neurologists' intervention critical to helping people with MS modify the disease course, treat relapses, manage symptoms, and improve function.
* Meaningful access to expert care offered by neurologists is imperative not only to people with MS, but also those with other neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Posted by Steve at Thursday, December 10, 2009

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About Me

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North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
Well-educated, disabled at this point with Multiple Sclerosis. I am very glad that I was able to do the things that I have been able to do over the years. had to change the picture, this one's more realistic.