Multiple Sclerosis: My Past Treatments

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.

The National MS Society

Monday, February 15, 2010

My Past Treatments

I am posting this at the request of a reader. This pertains to me and may differ for others. I hope this will help others in choosing a treatment.

I was diagnosed with MS on August 12, 1999 at 2:30 PM when I got the results of an MRI from my neurologist. After getting over the shock, I was given several options and asked to research to see which one of them I want to use as a therapy. After reading about all of these I chose Avonex, mainly because it was only once a week. Copaxone was every day and Betaserone was every other day. My choice was based upon convenience more than anything else. I took this for five years even though the side effects were brutal for about half a day every Monday. The MRI reports showed no progression, thought that the therapy was working. At this time I had gotten sick of giving myself shots and used Copaxone far about ten months. I then had an exacerbation that put me in the hospital where I had MRI's of the brain and the Thorax. This showed that the MS was located not in the brain but the upper cervical spine which would explain why previous MRI of the brain showed no activity. At this point I am taking no disease modifying drugs.

That is only my story, and should no way affect anyone's decision to use the modifying drug. All of these drugs have the potential to slow progression of this illness. It is important for anyone who was MS to get as much information as they can and make an informed decision in conjunction with their doctor concerning the drug they should take. Personally, I think everyone should use a drug to slow progression.

It is appreciated that people utilize this blog, there is much information here. Comments can be left on the blog itself please feel free to do so. Another blog I do care be found at; http://stevewrenn.blogspot.com/. I do hope this will help people who have MS to get the information they need and to make an informed decision.

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