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.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Participate in an online survey about Social Support, Outcome expectations and physical activity!

Dear Friend,

You are being invited to participate in a research study to assess how social support and outcome expectations relate to physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis. If you have already received this email and have completed the survey, thank you! We appreciate your effort and support.

If you have not yet completed the survey, we would appreciate your participation. You are being asked to participate in this survey because you are an adult with MS. The information gained through this research will provide helpful insight into adoption and adherence to exercise by those with MS and into possible strategies to promote physical activity.

First, you will be asked to complete a short survey to determine eligibility. Once deemed eligible, then you will be asked to complete an online survey, the completion of which should take you about 20 to 30 minutes. The types of questions will include information such as your demographics, current physical activity levels, confidence in your balance and walking, what you expect from exercise, and how you feel supported or not supported to exercise by family and friends. The information obtained during this study will be treated as confidential with your right to privacy assured. The results of the investigation may be published but your name will not be revealed in any part of the study. All data will be analyzed and referred to with a code number that will be known only to the investigators and stored securely throughout the course of the study. The survey and your responses will be deleted after completion of the study.

Your participation in this study is voluntary and there are no personal risks associated with your participation in this study. You may withdraw or discontinue participation at any time without penalty or prejudice. Your consent to participate is implied once you complete the survey. We ask that if you are interested in participation that the survey be completed within the subsequent two weeks upon your reception of this letter, although it is expected that the survey will remain open and available to complete until 5:00pm Tuesday, September 5, 2011.

Any questions concerning the research or your participation should be directed to Kelley E. Groll, Undergraduate, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 at MSstudyUVM@gmail.com

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in a research project, you should contact Nancy Stalnaker, the director of the Research Protections Office at the university of Vermont at (802) 656- 5040
Your decision to participate is sincerely appreciated.

Please connect to this link to take the survey. Thank you!
Posted by Steve at Wednesday, August 24, 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.