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.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Support MS Activists on Capitol Hill

Take Action!

Next Wednesday, March 3, hundreds of MS activists from across the country will meet with their federal legislators on Capitol Hill as part of the National MS Society's annual Public Policy Conference. These important visits are an essential component of the Society's year-long and constant mission to advance public policy that will improve the lives of those living with MS and other chronic conditions. Take action today by writing your members of Congress so that our collective voice is heard.

MS activists will be discussing three priority issues:

* MS Research Funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): Emerging evidence indicates a potential link between combat service and an increased incidence of MS. MS activists have been successful in opening a new funding stream for MS research within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), receiving $5 million in FY 2009 and $4.5 million in FY 2010. Ask your members of Congress to support a $15 million appropriation for MS research within the CDMRP by signing the Dear Colleague letter circulated by Congressmen Russ Carnahan (MO-3rd) and Michael Burgess, MD (TX-26th) and Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Jim Bunning (KY).
* National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act: A national MS surveillance system will help ascertain the true incidence and prevalence rates of MS nationwide, which is needed to faciliate research into potential environmental and genetic factors associated with MS. Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act (H.R.1362/S.1273).
* Full Funding of Lifespan Respite: Respite care services are vital to ensuring quality home-based care for people living with MS. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, but minimal funding has been appropriated over the past three years. Ask your member to support full funding for Lifespan Respite in FY 2011 in the amount of $94.81 million. Your Representative can signal his/her support by signing the Lifespan Respite Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Congressmen Jim Langevin (RI-2) and Lee Terry (NE-2).

Take action today and weigh in with your federal lawmakers on these important policy issues.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org
Posted by Steve at Friday, February 26, 2010

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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.