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, September 26, 2012

One More Chance: Help Push Disability Rights Treaty Over the Finish Line

You have received previous alerts urging you to contact your Senators to support the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and many of you have responded. Without your hard work, the CRPD would not have made it through the Senator Foreign Relations Committee on July 26th--the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)--with a bi-partisan vote and it would not have the strong bipartisan support it has today. Thank you for your hard work in getting the CRPD where it is today! We need your help again, even if you’ve already taken action – please keep reading and take action today! Now we need your help to finish the ratification process. The CRPD is an international disability treaty that essentially takes the ADA international. It affirms the same values as the ADA including equality, independence, and dignity for all persons with disabilities. The treaty has been signed by the President, transmitted by the President to the Senate, passed through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and now the final step towards ratification is a full vote on the Senate floor. Last week, before leaving for recess which lasts until the election, debate on the Senate floor signaled the intention of the bipartisan champions to bring the CRPD to a vote during the lame duck session—the time after the November election and before the new Congress is convened in January. The 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). We’re asking for your help, again, in order to get through the final stages of the ratification process. While your Senators are home, they need to hear that this treaty is important to you. Please click here to email you Senators while they are home and ask them to commit to vote yes on the CRPD! This grassroots effort will hopefully line us up for a strong floor vote once Congress returns for the lame duck session. Thank you, once again, for your help!
Posted by Steve at Wednesday, September 26, 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.