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, June 21, 2011

Act Today to Preserve Funding for MS Research

With your help over the past four years, we’ve been able to get $17 million dedicated to MS Research through the Defense Department’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) . This week the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the FY 2012 Defense Appropriations bill that includes an additional $3.8 million for MS Research. There may be efforts to reduce or completely eliminate CDMRP and lose the momentum of the cutting edge research underway. It is important that you act now to urge your Representative to continue funding for the CDMRPs!

Emerging evidence indicates a potential link between combat service and an increased incidence of MS, with one study theorizing that exposure to neurotoxins could be an environmental trigger for MS. According to a 2003 study in the Annals of Neurology, 5,345 veterans that served in Vietnam and the first Gulf War were diagnosed with MS that was deemed "service-connected." MS research in the CDMRP helps scientists better understand the causes of MS and can help us discover a cure.

Contact your Representative today and remind them of the importance of maintaining these programs that could lead to better treatments for MS in the future!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Invitation to Participate in Housing Needs Survey

National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter to me

show details 9:45 AM (34 minutes ago)

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Display images below - Always display images from Linda.Guiod@nmss.org
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Dear Friend of the National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter:

THIS IS A REMINDER TO COMPLETE OUR SURVEY REGARDING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE SURVEY ON LINE, AND WOULD LIKE A HARD COPY TO COMPLETE AND RETURN, PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL AND LET US KNOW. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE SURVEY EITHER ON LINE OR HARD COPY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE IT A SECOND TIME.

Thank you!

We are very excited to announce that we are beginning a movement to answer your needs for accessible independent housing. As you are aware, we take pride in listening to your concerns and then work diligently for you, our friends who have MS. The awareness of these needs has led the Chapter to partner with other interested organizations and to explore the development of housing alternatives.

To learn more about the needs of people who live with MS everyday, we have developed a survey and we ask for your participation. This will add to our understanding of issues that have been reported in previous surveys that you and others have completed. Your answers will provide us with information about the many needs and desires regarding appropriate housing arrangements for people who are disabled from the effects of MS. Your input is valuable and we look forward to tabulating the results and sharing it with funding resources, government agencies and partnering organizations in moving toward our goal of providing housing opportunities.

Please know that this survey is confidential and at this time we cannot guarantee housing. This is our first step in assessing the housing needs of people who live with MS of all income levels. This information is absolutely crucial in our efforts to influence state and federal funding sources to help create housing.

Certainly, as the Chapter moves forward with any housing plans, we will contact those that have completed this survey. You may access the survey via the following link:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAMHousingSurvey

The deadline for participation is JULY 15, 2011. If you prefer, we can send you a hard copy of the survey to complete and return via US Mail. Please call me to receive the printed version or if you have any questions. Thank you for taking the time to help us to collect the information we need about the housing needs of people with MS.

Sincerely,

Linda R. Guiod, RN, MSSMC
National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter
101 A First Ave.
Waltham, MA 02451
781.693.5124

Thursday, June 16, 2011

MSConnection Summer 2011

Table of Contents — Summer 2011 Issue

MileStones 2011 David Osmond
MileStones Gala 2011 was capped off by a performance from David Osmond, who was diagnosed with MS in 2006.

Features

Accessible Vacation Rentals at Last…
2011 Scholarship Awards
Milestones Awards

News

From The President
Work Toward Your Best Life with MS

Programs

2011 Scholarship Recipients
Invitation to Participate in Housing Needs Survey
Programs
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Vermont
Program Highlights

Living with MS

Save-the-Date
Recent Additions to the Dora Lipcon Lending Library

Research

Research Advocate
Resources to Find Clinical Trials
$17.5 Million for 50 New MS Research Projects

Advocacy

Federal Updates
State Updates
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Vermont

Volunteers

Passionate People = Productivity

Fundraising

Bike MS Season Starts Strong!
The Golden Circle
Journey of Hope 2011
Accept the Challenge
Link Up for MS
Walk with Us This Fall 2011
30th Annual MS Harborfest

Calendar of Events - see current calendar

Classified Ads - see current listings

Friday, June 3, 2011

Invitation to Participate in Housing Needs Survey

Dear Friend of the National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter:

We are very excited to announce that we are beginning a movement to answer your needs for accessible independent housing. As you are aware, we take pride in listening to your concerns and then work diligently for you, our friends who have MS. The awareness of these needs has led the Chapter to partner with other interested organizations and to explore the development of housing alternatives.

To learn more about the needs of people who live with MS everyday, we have developed a survey and we ask for your participation. This will add to our understanding of issues that have been reported in previous surveys that you and others have completed. Your answers will provide us with information about the many needs and desires regarding appropriate housing arrangements for people who are disabled from the effects of MS. Your input is valuable and we look forward to tabulating the results and sharing it with funding resources, government agencies and partnering organizations in moving toward our goal of providing housing opportunities.

Please know that this survey is confidential and at this time we cannot guarantee housing. This is our first step in assessing the housing needs of people who live with MS of all income levels. This information is absolutely crucial in our efforts to influence state and federal funding sources to help create housing.

Certainly, as the Chapter moves forward with any housing plans, we will contact those that have completed this survey. You may access the survey via the following link:
Housing Survey

The deadline for participation is JULY 15, 2011. If you prefer, we can send you a hard copy of the survey to complete and return via US Mail. Please call me to receive the printed version or if you have any questions. Thank you for taking the time to help us to collect the information we need about the housing needs of people with MS.

Sincerely,

Linda R. Guiod, RN, MSSMC
National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter
101 A First Ave.
Waltham, MA 02451

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Urge Your Senators to Support MS Research

A few weeks ago, MS activists helped garner support in the U.S. House of Representatives for MS research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). In just a few short days, MS activists sent over 1,700 emails to Capitol Hill and in response, 50 members of the House signed on to a bipartisan letter circulated by Representatives Michael Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) and Russ Carnahan (MO-3).

This week, MS activists must take quick action again--this time, to urge your Senators to support funding for MS research in the CDMRP. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Mike Johanns (NE) have circulated a bipartisan Dear Colleague letter on the Senate side. The deadline is next Monday, so take action today and urge your Senators to support this vital programmatic request for MS research!

Emerging evidence indicates a potential link between combat service and an increased incidence of MS, with one study theorizing that exposure to neurotoxins could be an environmental trigger for MS. According to a 2003 study in the Annals of Neurology, 5,345 veterans that served in Vietnam and the first Gulf War were diagnosed with MS that was deemed "service-connected." MS research in the CDMRP helps scientists better understand the causes of MS and can help us discover a cure.

About Me

My photo
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.