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, November 5, 2010

Federal Focus - November 2010

S. 1273 Gets a Boost from Activists during the Congressional Recess
Although Congress has been on recess for the recent elections, activists have engaged in many different ways to push S.1273 forward in the Senate. Over the past few weeks, activists in key states have emailed, placed calls and visited their Senators to urge them to enact S.1273 this Congressional session. Even high-profile figures, such as four-star General Tommy Franks and entertainers, Alan and David Osmond, reached out to their respective Senators—Senator Coburn (OK) and Senator Hatch (UT) – to voice their support.

Congress will be back in session the week of November 15 and we need you to email your Senator to ensure S.1273 is passed before the 111th Congress adjourns. The House of Representatives passed the companion bill, H.R. 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, just before leaving for recess and Senate passage is the last significant procedural hurdle.

Only a few legislative days remain in this Congressional session, so we need your help today! Click here to take action and email your Senator today about the importance of establishing a surveillance system to gather important data and help us move closer to a world free of MS.

Remaining Work of the 111th Congress

With Election Day behind them, Congress is expected to return the week of November 15 to complete unfinished business. While their detailed schedule is yet to be determined, it is anticipated that Congress will address one or two outstanding health-related issues. One of the top issues is expected to be for Congress to act on delaying a scheduled 21.3% reduction in Medicare physician payments. Currently, the Medicare program covers an estimated 47 million people, including 8 million people with disabilities who are under age 65 and nearly one-quarter of those living with MS. MS activists and other concerned groups have repeatedly called on Congress to delay the scheduled 21.3% cut and help protect access to needed care. Temporary relief was provided in late June through a so-called “doc fix” that delayed the reimbursement cut until December 1, 2010. Congress therefore is expected to take action before December 1, but it is unclear for how long they will delay the cut.

Another issue expected to be center stage are the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 appropriations. The federal government is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) that largely flat funds federal departments and programs at FY 2010 levels. This CR expires December 3, necessitating some sort of further action by Congress. The Society will be closely monitoring how Congress addresses completion of FY 2011 appropriations, as two of the Society’s 2010 priorities hinge on this decision: funding for MS research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

Though the formal appropriations process is far from complete, early indications are positive for the funding levels of both CDMRP and Lifespan Respite. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense approved more than a 20% increase for MS research in the CDMRP—for a total of $6 million. Both chambers urged an increase for Lifespan Respite, with the Senate approving the larger increase for a total of $7 million. The Society will continue to advocate for robust funding for MS research in the CDMRP and for Lifespan Respite as final determinations are made.

2011 Will Be the Year of the Caregiver

Over the past few months, the Society has been collaborating closely with the Administration on Aging (AoA) and other advocacy groups to put together a forum in celebration of caregiving on November 17. The event will specifically celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Family Caregivers Support Program, with both former Assistant Secretary for Aging, Jeanette Takamura, and current Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kathy Greenlee attending to highlight achievements of the program. The focus of the day will be to reflect on the past, present and future of caregiving policies and programs in the United States. During this forum, a National MS Society staff member will be speaking on a panel about the unique issues that people caring for an individual with a disability face.

In addition to marking the 10 year anniversary, AoA will announce the launch 2011 as the Year of the Family Caregiver. During the following year, the Society will work on a number of initiatives focused on caregiving to raise awareness for this issue.
Posted by Steve at Friday, November 05, 2010 0 comments
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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.