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, July 24, 2012

Another Push for Disability Rights Treaty

On July 12th, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held the first hearing in the consideration of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This hearing was a success for the disability community and a significant step in the ratification process! The Committee is scheduled to meet again this Thursday, July 26—the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—for the next step towards ratification, which is to ‘mark-up’ the treaty. Since this mark-up vote in Committee determines whether the full Senate will vote to ratify the treaty and your Senator is on this instrumental Committee, we need you to contact him/her once again! The treaty needs a simple majority vote to be sent to the full Senate. Supporters of the treaty have been out in full force, meeting with Senators and their staffs, and activists from around the country—like yourself—have been contacting Senate Foreign Relations Committee members expressing strong support for the treaty. And last week former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole signaled his strong support in this guest commentary. It is particularly important for you to take action because while support for this treaty is strong, opponents have been mounting their arguments in attempt to stop its progress. Opponents are concerned that the treaty will take away their ability to decide on the best educational setting for their children and that it would somehow be a ‘back door’ for the incorporation of two other treaties which the United States has not yet ratified. The Society and other organizations supporting the treaty disagree with these interpretations and urge the U.S. Senate to do the right thing by voting to ratify the CRPD. Ratification will essentially take the ADA international and affirm and ensure the rights of people with disabilities around the globe. Please urge your Senator who is on the Foreign Relations Committee to support ratifying the CRPD by clicking here to email him/her. You will be prompted to enter your zip code and then an email will appear for you to easily send to your Senator’s office. We need to continue to make our voices heard! Thank you for your help!
Posted by Steve at Tuesday, July 24, 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.