Multiple Sclerosis: While They're Home, Urge Your Senator to Support Disability Rights

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.

The National MS Society

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

While They're Home, Urge Your Senator to Support Disability Rights

As we’ve already noted in previous action alerts, last month, on the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was voted favorably out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a 13-6 bipartisan vote! This international disability treaty affirms the values of the ADA including equality, independence, and dignity. The next step towards treaty ratification is a full vote on the Senate floor and that’s why we’re contacting you once again. Before leaving for August recess, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement of support in the Congressional Record encouraging ratification of the CRPD. When the Senate is back in session in September, a bipartisan group of champions will lead the treaty to its final vote on the Senate floor. This bipartisan group of champions includes: Senators McCain (R-AZ), Durbin (D-IL), Kerry (D-MA), Barrasso (R-WY), Harkin (D-IA), Udall (D-NM), Moran (R-KS), and Coons (D-DE). Many of you have already heard about the CRPD and contacted your Senators. We want to thank you for all of your support! We’re asking for your help again in order to get through the final stages of the ratification process. It is now August recess and members of Congress are back home in their states. One or both of your Senators have not yet publically announced their support for the CRPD. Please click here to email your Senator(s) while they are home and ask them to commit to vote yes on the CRPD! You will be prompted to enter your zip code and then an email to send to your Senator(s) will appear. If you happen to be attending a town meeting hosted by your Senator, please ask about support for this treaty. This will hopefully line us up for a strong floor vote once Congress returns in September. Thank you, once again, for your help!

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