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, September 10, 2010

Self-Employment for Individuals with Disabilities FREE On-Line Course

Dates: September 27 through October 31, 2010
Deadline to register: September 14

Self employment and small business are a defining characteristic of America’s economic landscape, and present a tremendous opportunity for those most challenged by the competitive labor market. Self-employment is increasingly recognized as a viable employment option for people with disabilities. This online course will cover the basics and frequently asked questions that individuals living with MS may have when thinking about starting a business.

• How can I determine if self-employment is for me?
• Where can I get money to start a business?
• Can vocational rehabilitation agencies support self-employment?
• How can a person obtain support from community and business-related agencies such as Small Business Development Centers?

The course will cover the following topics:

• Writing a Business Plan
• Conducting a Feasibility Study
• Accessing Community Supports
• Identifying Funding
• Using Work Incentives

Course Schedule
Week of Sept 27 Self-Employment Overview
Week of Oct 4 Social Security Work Incentives, Medicaid Waivers, and Self-Employment
Week of Oct 11 Accessing Support Services from Vocational Rehabilitation and Community Rehabilitation Programs
Week of Oct 18 Community Supports for Self-Employment
Week of Oct 25 Quick Launch Business Start-Up

Overview Information: ALL courses are web-based. The lectures are in audio format, and you must have the technical requirements for the course as described below to enroll. Information for a specific lesson will be available by 9:00 a.m. (eastern) on the first date listed for any given lesson. The course includes five lessons. Each lesson lasts one week and should take approximately four to five hours to complete. Weekly lessons include an online discussion forum, audio lectures, and select readings. All participants will be assigned to groups. These groups will be asked to correspond with each other on the course bulletin boards. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of nationally known experts in self –employment.

Technical Requirements: You will be able to log on to the course at any time of the day and access the audio lectures. Each person MUST have an individual e-mail account to register. If you do not already have an e-mail address, you can set one up, free of charge at www.yahoo.com, www.gmail.com, and many other free services. Updates and feedback on the course activities will be sent via e-mail. Participants must be able to receive and send messages in order to benefit from this online experience.

A certificate of completion will be issued to those who participate in the discussion boards and complete a final essay on the course materials. Participants MUST finish all required assignments within the specified time frame in order to receive the certificate of completion from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Confirmation & log-in directions will be sent to confirmed registrants

Register online for this program

Deadline to register: September 14
Space is limited – Adults with MS Only

This course is being provided to the National MS Society by START-UP/USA a partnership between Virginia Commonwealth University and Griffin-Hammis and Associates, LLC.

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Greater New England Chapter
101A First Avenue, Suite 6
Waltham, MA 02451-1115
tel: 1 800-344-4867
fax: 1 781-890-2089
MSnewengland.org
Posted by Steve at Friday, September 10, 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.