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.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Federal Focus-April 2010

Call-In to Help Limit Cost Sharing and Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs
Today, Tuesday April 13, the National MS Society, in collaboration with other patient advocacy organizations, is hosting a national call-in day to urge Members of Congress to address the increasing costs of prescription drugs. Call your Representative today and ask him/her to cosponsor the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009 (H.R. 3799). You can also reinforce your message by sending an email to your Representative's office today!

People living with multiple sclerosis could save thousands of dollars a year on their disease modifying therapies through this reform. H.R. 3799 would cap monthly out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $200 per prescription, or $500 per month for those taking more than one medication. All public and private insurance plans, including Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, would be addressed in this legislation. Take action by calling and sending an email to your Representative today!

MS Activists Make CDMRP Campaign a Success
Thanks to the help of MS Activists, our Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) campaign this Spring was extremely successful. The program received 97 bi-partisan sponsors in the House and 24 bi-partisan sponsors in the Senate. This represents nearly a 20% increase in support on Capitol Hill this year! This outcome would not have been possible without the dedication and help of MS Activists. To see a list of all the Members who have signed the CDMRP Dear Colleague please visit the MS Activist blog and be sure to send a thank you to your Members who signed on if you have not already.

New Housing Program Announced to Help People with Disabilities
Last week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a housing program to help those living with disabilities. As part of the Year of Community Living Initiative, HHS and HUD collaborated to provide housing assistance for non-elderly persons with disabilities to live independent and productive lives in their communities, rather than in institutional settings. HUD is offering approximately $40 million to public housing authorities across the country to fund approximately 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, allowing them to live independently. To read the full funding announcement and learn more about how your state housing authority can leverage this funding visit the HUD website.

Health Care Reform Bills Signed Into Law
On March 30, President Obama signed the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), the second piece of the health care reform legislation approved by Congress. The bill makes changes sought by the President and House of Representatives to the Senate health care reform bill (H.R. 3590) signed by the President March 23. These two bills include numerous provisions affecting health care coverage, the health care delivery system, and sources of revenue for the financing of reform. Together, H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872, will help many people living with MS by extending health coverage to 32 million people, prohibiting discrimination on pre-existing conditions, limiting out-of-pocket costs, and removing lifetime caps on benefits. Some of these provisions will go into effect immediately, while some will be implemented over the next decade.

As provisions of health reform begin to be implemented, the Society will be continue to provide up to date analysis and information on the Government Affairs section of our website. Our most recently added resource is an implementation timeline that the Kaiser Family Foundation has produced. We encourage you to visit this site often.



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 Tuesday, April 13, 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.