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.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Urge Your Members to Support Family Caregivers

Last week, MS activists sent thousands of messages to Capitol Hill urging members of the House to support MS research funding. This week, continue that momentum and urge your Representative to support robust funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program, another Society priority and program that helps people living with MS and their families.

Up to one quarter of individuals living with MS require long-term care services at some point during the course of the disease. Often, a family member steps into the role of primary caregiver, becoming some of our nation's 65 million caregivers who provide 80% of long-term care. Family caregivers are vital because they allow people living with MS to remain in the home, avoiding premature and costlier admission to nursing home facilities, but it can be a stressful job.

Respite care is short-term care that helps an individual or family take a break from the daily routine and stress of providing care. Enacted in 2006, the Lifespan Respite Care Program provides competitive grants to states to establish or enhance statewide lifespan respite programs, improve coordination, and improve respite access and quality so that family caregivers have the support they need. States are to serve families regardless of age or special need, making it a critical program for persons living with MS and their families--who are often ineligible for existing respite programs' age requirements.

The Lifespan Respite Care Program offers great promise to people living with MS and their families, but has been woefully underfunded. Representative Jim Langevin (RI-2) is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter for members of the House to signal their support for robust appropriations for this important program. Contact your Representative today to inform him/her of the importance of the Lifespan Respite Care Program and urge him/her to sign on to Congressman Langevin's letter.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Your Rights as a Job Seeker or Employee with a Disability Teleconference

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

The NYC – Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society is pleased to host Attorney Debra Wolf on Friday, May 13th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Ms. Wolf will be discussing your rights as job seekers or employees with a disability.

Attorney Debra Wolf will address questions such as:

What can an employer ask you on a job interview regarding your MS?
How and when to ask for an accommodation?
What are the laws regarding pre-employment medical testing
What constitutes discrimination and how to make a discrimination claim

This program is being offered to chapters in the region via teleconference. Please join us!

To register, please call:

NYC – Southern NY Chapter of the National MS Society
Barbara McKeon, MA, CRC, LMHC
212-453-3218

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Help Urgently Needed to Maintain MS Research Funding

Because of the hard work of MS activists across the country, approximately $17 million has been allocated to MS research under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) over the past four years. The CDMRP is a Department of Defense (DoD) program that is funded annually via the Defense Appropriations Act. It is important that you act now to ensure this funding stream for MS research is maintained!

We need your help to secure funding for MS research under the CDMRP. Ask your Representative to support a $15 million appropriation under the CDMRP that will help scientists to better understand the causes of MS and help find a cure. The large number of grant proposals submitted each year to the DoD for MS projects indicate that there is a clear need for more funding for MS research.

Because the timeline for requests has been condensed this year, Members of the House must submit their requests for Department of Defense appropriations by this Friday. Click here to contact your Representative today and ask them to show their support for people living with MS by signing onto a bipartisan Dear Colleague letter circulated by Representatives Burgess (TX-26) and Carnahan (MO-3), in addition to including the MS program in the CDMRP in their DoD appropriations request.

A similar letter will be circulated shortly in the Senate, so watch out for another legislative alert and opportunity to take action and support MS research!

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org

Friday, May 6, 2011

Federal Focus - May 2011

Contact Your Members of Congress to Maintain Important Funding for MS Research and Respite Services

As Congress returned from recess last week, the federal government spending debates have begun again (scroll down to see a synopsis). After long deliberations over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget, Congress is slated to start the process over again for FY2012. As with years past, the National MS Society will be advocating for a number of initiatives to help accelerate research and treatments, and support families affected by MS. Click here to email your Members of Congress and ask them to request funding for MS priority issues!

Like FY2011, the FY 2012 appropriations process could be subject to lengthy discussions over the best approach to addressing fiscal concerns, while continuing to support important areas within the government. Just last month, the House debated and passed a FY2012 budget plan, largely along party lines, that would cut spending by $5.8 trillion over the next ten years according to the House Budget Committee. It fundamentally overhauls the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In response, President Obama released his own long-term budget proposal on April 13, which would cut approximately $4 trillion from the deficit over 12 years. Notably, President Obama’s proposal is a combination of spending cuts and tax increases for higher-income Americans. In addition, a bipartisan group of Senators is working on a proposal which is expected to include some of the recommendations from last year’s Fiscal Commission.

The appropriations season for FY2012 is slated to be considerably condensed due to the extended time allotted this year to pass the FY 2011 budget. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to contact your Members today and remind them to support two of our top appropriations requests: the MS research program in the Congressional Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

MS activists have been successful in opening a new funding stream for MS research within the CDMRP, receiving $5 million in FY 2009, $4.5 million in FY 2010 and $4.8 million in FY 2011. In order to keep this momentum and research going, ask your Member to include the MS program in the CDMRP in their programmatic requests. Similarly, respite care services are vital to ensuring quality home-based care for people living with MS. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, but has been woefully underfunded. Click here to take action today!

Congress Passes FY 2011 Budget; Maintains MS Research and Services

On April 14, Congress passed and later the President signed a full year Continuing Resolution (CR) for the remainder of FY 2011. After many weeks of negotiations, the Senate, House and President agreed to a budget that will cut $38 billion dollars from the federal budget. This bill will fund the federal government agencies and programs for the remainder of the fiscal year, through the end of September, 2011. Below is a summary of the final FY2011 budget for agencies and programs important to people living with MS.

FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS

MS Research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program: The MS program in the CDMRP received $4.8 million in FY 2011, a modest increase of $300,000 over FY 2010. This brings the total allotted to MS in the CDMRP to more than $17 million over the past four years.
Lifespan Respite Care Act: The Lifespan Respite program received $2.5 million dollars, the same amount that the program received in FY2010.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The bill provides $30.7 billion for NIH, a $260 million reduction (0.8 percent) below the FY2010 level.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA will see a $107 million increase over FY 2010 funding levels; however, those dollars are largely allocated to food safety programs and not drug approval.

The Society is appreciative of the tremendous work MS activists did in achieving these budget victories, given the continued difficult economic climate that the country faces.

Court of Appeals Ruling Protects Stem Cell Research

On Friday, April 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in a 2-1 decision lifted an injunction imposed last year by a district court judge that blocked federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The district court’s injunction was subsequently stayed, allowing research already being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue while the appeals process unfolded. Last week’s Court of Appeals decision vacates the original injunction and continues to protect federal funding for stem cell research.

The National MS Society has made a commitment to pursue promising avenues that will lead to solutions that stop disease progression, restore function, and ultimately prevent future generations from ever receiving an MS diagnosis. This commitment is reflected in our decision to support the conduct of scientifically meritorious medical research, including research using human cells, in accordance with federal, state and local laws, and with adherence to the strictest ethical and procedural guidelines. This decision was not reached without intense scrutiny and discussion among volunteers, people living with MS, ethicists, researchers and scientists, and MS neurologists.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Spring Special at the Snowflake Inn, Jackson NH for People with MS & their special guest!

During the month of May, the Snowflake Inn in Jackson, NH is offering an exceptional opportunity for people with MS and their spouse or partner. Enjoy a relaxing getaway in the scenic White Mountains with your special someone.

Reservations any Sunday through Thursday from May 1 to May 26 are only $99 per night.
No minimum stay. Enjoy all the amenities like the indoor spa, on-site Massage and romantic rooms with fireplace & Jacuzzi tub. Continental breakfast provided.

For more information and to make your reservation, contact the Snowflake Inn toll-free (888) 383-1020 or visit The Snowflake Inn.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter
101A First Avenue, Suite 6 | Waltham, Mass. 02451-1115
tel: 1 800-344-4867 | fax: 1 781-890-2089 | MSnewengland.org

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Conventional medicine finally admits MS caused by vitamin D deficiency Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032244_multiple_sclerosis_vitamin_D_deficiency.

Friday, April 29, 2011 by: M.K. Tyler




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(NaturalNews) Is it true that those who suffer from Multiple sclerosis (MS) just need a little sun? Researchers at the University of Oxford seem to think so. In 2006, a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested higher levels of vitamin D might decrease overall risk of developing MS. Now researchers at the University of Oxford are backing that study with further evidence while also suggesting a link between lack of sunlight and how the body responds when faced with an infection. The research concludes that MS is caused by several factors working in combination but clearly correlates to a lack of vitamin D.

Is it really as simple as soaking up some rays?

While the phenomenon of vitamin D deficiency is seen all over the world, countries in the northern hemisphere have been linked to significantly higher rates of MS. Scotland, for example, has one of the largest populations of MS sufferers, while the disease is "virtually unknown" in Africa. Even in sunny areas of the globe, it's not uncommon for people to become vitamin D deficient during the winter, as the sun's rays aren't often high enough to penetrate atmospheric layers.

The research put forth by the University of Oxford suggests that, while those who already have MS may not benefit exponentially simply by increasing levels of vitamin D, getting more sun could be an effective preventative measure against developing the disease and managing symptoms.

More importantly, MS sufferers may be able to boost immunity to other conditions with an increase in vitamin D. A recent study by Anticancer Research affirms that typical adults need much more than the daily dosage recommended by the U.S. Government. According to that research, 4,000-8,000 IUs of vitamin D every day could not only help prevent MS but also several types of cancer and Type 1 diabetes.

The health care industry, of course, won't promote a natural and safe preventative measure for degenerative diseases. Instead, people are warned about the dangers of UV exposure and the risks of vitamin toxicity. With vitamin D deficiency afflicting 90% of the U.S. population, however, it may be time to get a tan. Here are some interesting facts about the relationship between vitamin D and health:

1. It's free. Five to thirty minutes of sunlight a couple of times a week is usually sufficient for helping the body create enough vitamin D
2. Getting enough vitamin D from food is virtually impossible
3. Sunscreens may block the body's ability to generate vitamin D
4. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium in the body
5. Those who live further from the equator generally require longer periods of sun exposure to generate enough vitamin D
6. A lack of vitamin D can affect bone strength. One theory suggests that women who are deficient in vitamin D can suffer from contracting pelvises, which can result in the death of babies during labor
7. Vitamin D deficiency cannot be reversed quickly. It takes months for the body to increase and regulate vitamin D levels. This is why short periods of sun exposure are not only safe but also necessary for the synthesis of this important substance

For those with MS, increased sun exposure may be an easy and safe preventative measure against further cognitive and physical degeneration. As a direct threat to the medical establishment, however, it remains to be seen whether further government warnings and regulations about vitamin D will eventually ban people from sun bathing.

Sources for this article include

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13...
http://health.usnews.com/usnews/hea...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2...

Articles Related to This Article:

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032244_multiple_sclerosis_vitamin_D_deficiency.html#ixzz1LJhaXLsp

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.