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, June 4, 2010

Help Restore State Medicaid Relief

Take Action!

MS activists have been successful in helping to prevent a devastating cut to physicians participating in Medicare through 2011. Legislation currently being considered in Congress fortunately prevents this cut, but another vital provision must be restored. Call your U.S. Senators today and urge them to restore a six-month extension of increased federal Medicaid assistance to states. Enter your zip code and you will be provided talking points. Use the toll-free number 1-888-340-6521 to be connected with your U.S. Senators.

Medicaid provides health and long-term care coverage to more than 59 million Americans, including many people living with disabilities. With the rise in unemployment during troubled economic times, more Americans rely on Medicaid to help cover their health care costs. At the same time of enrollment growth, state budget pressures swell as revenues decline.

To help avoid drastic cuts to health services, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in 2009 provided significant federal assistance to state-run Medicaid programs. This fiscal relief prevented harmful budget cuts, saved jobs and protected the healthcare coverage of those in need. The economic situation remains dire, however, and since states are currently planning their FY 2011 budgets, Congress must take immediate action to extend federal Medicaid assistance.

There is great support for extending federal Medicaid assistance. In March, the Senate passed a six-month extension of the Recovery Act's enhanced federal Medicaid match. The House just passed a similar bill, but the Medicaid provision was removed. It is up to the Senate to quickly correct this omission.

Call your U.S. Senators today and urge them to immediately restore and pass the six-month extension of the increased federal Medicaid assistance. Use the toll-free number 1-888-340-6521 to be connected with your U.S. Senators. When you are connected with your Senator's office, tell the office:

* As your constituent, I urge the Senator to restore and pass a six-month extension of the increased federal Medicaid assistance.
* Medicaid provides health benefits to those hardest hit by the recession. As unemployment rises in the troubled economic times, Medicaid enrollment rises at the same time as state budgets are extremely strained.
* Medicaid fiscal relief included in the Recovery Act prevented harmful budget cuts, saved jobs and protected healthcare coverage of many in need.
* Medicaid assistance to states must continue. Restoring Medicaid funding for states is good for the Medicaid program, the health of state budgets, and the national deficit.

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, June 04, 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.