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.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Congressional MS Caucus Grows!

In direct response to MS Activists requests during our recent Public Policy Conference, twenty members of the House of Representatives and four members of the Senate joined the Congressional MS Caucus, bring total membership to 150 U.S. Representatives and 30 U.S. Senators. To see if your members are on the MS Caucus, go to this webpage. Many thanks to everyone who helped recruit these elected officials!

Ask Your Senators to Support MS Research Funding
Amazing progress has been made over the last twenty years toward better understanding MS and in developing effective MS therapies. Over the past few years, $20 million has been allocated to MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Congress first allocated a distinct funding stream for MS research in the CDMRP in Fiscal Year 2009 in response to MS activists’ impressive advocacy. Please take a few minutes today to email your Senators to help ensure the continuation of this vital research funding.

The CDMRP funds high-risk, high-reward research that complements the important basic research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CDMRP is also peer reviewed—which means that people active in the MS research community gauge the merits of research applications and help to determine which projects get funded. Peer reviewers for the MS-related applications include people living with MS.

To promote continued research innovation and momentum, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Mike Johanns (NE) have circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter on Capitol Hill. This letter will be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee that decides how much funding this particular program receives so the more support, the better. Click here to email your Senators and ask them to indicate their support for MS research funding by signing this Dear Colleague letter.

Support for Funding for the MS Community as the Federal Budget Process Starts
Over the past month, the Society has worked with champions on Capitol Hill to gather support for our 2012 priorities—funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program that supports family caregivers, and funding for MS research in the CDMRP. MS activists sent over 7,000 emails to Capitol Hill and visited over 370 offices on the Society’s annual Hill Day. This fantastic advocacy helped garner support from 155 members of the House of Representatives and 47 members of the Senate for a recommendation of at least $32 billion for the NIH in Fiscal Year 2013. In addition, 33 Representatives and 7 Senators agreed to support $5 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program. And while the Senate CDMRP Dear Colleague is still circulating, 68 Representatives have already indicated their support for $10 million for MS research in the CDMRP. The Society thanks Sens. Casey and Burr and Reps. Bilbray, Markey, Langevin, Burgess and Carnahan for leading these efforts.

Congressional hearings on the budget have been and will continue to occur and some committees will soon start “marking up” appropriations bills. The House passed a budget resolution but it is not expected to advance in the Senate. In the past few years, Congress has not completed budget work by the intended deadline of October 1. Also, because it is an election year, odds of hitting that target are not high. The Society will continue to weigh in as the federal budget process continues to ensure that the voice of the MS community is heard.

Supreme Court Considers the Affordable Care Act
Over the course of three days in late March, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a total of six and a half hours of oral arguments on four major challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Analyses of the arguments and speculation about the court’s upcoming ruling are now a major focus of journalists, political pundits and editorial pages across the country. Check the Kaiser Health News diagram for information about the arguments.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will continue to actively support health reform implementation as it relates to the needs of people with MS. The Society’s Principles for Health Care Reform were adopted in 2008 and continue to shape our implementation efforts. Additionally, as history of the U.S. health system illustrates, evolutions in health care occur with or without federal reform law, and it is our belief that responsible activism is needed to take best advantage of opportunities for positive change in the interests of people with MS.

Be a ‘Social Media’ MS Activist
The Public Policy Office recently established a Twitter account and posts real time information about activities and policies impacting those with MS and various news items relevant to MS, health care, and other pertinent issues. Follow the office @MSActivist. Please also sign up on the MS Activist Blog. Being informed is critical to advancing policies that will help people with MS!
Posted by Steve at Saturday, April 07, 2012

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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.