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, March 11, 2011

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Dear Friend:

As you know, MS Awareness Week is March 14-20, 2011. The goal of MS Awareness Week is to raise public awareness of multiple sclerosis and the impact it has on individuals and families, and to introduce people to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to the ways in which the National MS Society helps people who are affected by MS, and how people can join the movement to create a world free of MS.

The 2011 theme for MS Awareness Week is: "MS=" or "What does MS mean to you?"

When people were asked "What does MS mean to you?", responses fell into the following categories:

* MS = unknown (don’t understand cure, cause, never the same, no one understands)
* MS = invisible (people don’t understand the invisible symptoms of MS)
* MS = unpredictability of disease/uncertainty of my future/uncertainty day to day
* MS = change (learning to adapt, have had to change how I live my life, how I do things, its changed me, the way I look at the world)
* MS = challenges (presents challenges in my life, a path not planned, limitations/new opportunities)

In each of the four states in the Greater New England Chapter (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont) there will be a Flags of Hope display, with one orange flag representing each person who has multiple sclerosis in that state. In Maine, the flags will be displayed at the New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland on Monday, March 14. In Mass., there will be two installations, both on Saturday, March 12. One at RJ Kelly and Company, Mall Road in Burlington, Mass., and the other at Bernie & Phyl's Furniture, 901 Broadway (Rt. 1) in Saugus. In New Hampshire, the Flags of Hope will be displayed also at Bernie & Phyl's Furniture, 243 Daniel Webster Highway in Nashua. In Vermont, the location is to be determined. You can volunteer to help install and remove the flags in honor of your loved one who has MS, or for yourself, if you have MS. Contact the local office to make arrangements to volunteer.

The following are a few suggestions on ways you can Join the Movement and raise awareness of MS!

* Visit www.Facebook.com/MSnewengland, and tell us what MS means to you!
* Donate your Facebook status line to MS Awareness Week
* Write a letter to your local newspaper and tell them what MS means to you. A template letter can be found on the MS Awareness Week page on MSnewengland.org.
* Be creative! Visit and download a variety of digital media items such as badges, Instant messaging icons, electronic banners and video public service announcements (PSAs)
* There are electronic wallpapers you can download for your computer. (Eric & Susan are from our Chapter!)
* Add an MS Awareness Week logo to your email signature!
* Create a video that tells us what MS means to you and post it on YouTube, then send a link to your video to NationalMSSocietyGNE@nmss.org.
* Wear orange to raise awareness. Orange is the Society's color! Need something new to wear, visit the Society Store.
* Be sure to check the Chapter's MS Awareness Week page for more details!

THANK YOU for helping to create a world free of multiple sclerosis!

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Greater New England Chapter
101A First Avenue
Waltham MA 02451-1115
Posted by Steve at Friday, March 11, 2011

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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.