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, October 17, 2012

Upcoming Teleconference Series

The Spectrum of MS: Fall 2012 Series Join us from the comfort of your own phone for informative conference calls on a diverse range of topics for people living with MS. To ensure timely receipt of materials, please register one week prior to call. Register today! Registration is FREE. For more information or to register online, or call 1-800-344-4867, option 1. Wednesday, October 24, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Top 10 List of MS Questions This call will address the most common questions and concerns facing individuals newly diagnosed with MS. Speaker: Angela Applebee, M.D. Director of the MS Center of Northern New England at Fletcher Allen Health Care Registration Deadline: October 17, 2012 Wednesday, November 28, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Invisible Symptoms People who have “invisible” MS symptoms have a unique set of difficulties. This call will address the “invisible” symptoms of MS such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues and how to manage these symptoms effectively. Speaker: Pam Mills, RN, BSN, MSCN Registered nurse who specializes in oncology and multiple sclerosis. Registration Deadline: November 21, 2012 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. MS: A Family Affair MS comes with many challenges for both the individual and family living with MS. Changes occur in family roles and everyday functions. Learning about MS and communicating are effective strategies for coping with these challenges and developing a healthier lifestyle. Speaker: Peggy Crawford, Ph.D., PSYD, Clinical Psychologist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; contributing author to Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for Families Speaker: Bonnie Danowski, family member of a person with MS and active volunteer for NMSS Arizona Chapter Registration Deadline: December 5, 2012 Register today! Registration is FREE. For more information or to register online, or call 1-800-344-4867, option 1. Stay tuned for spring session teleconferences taking place in April, May, and June 2013. Upcoming topics: Bowel & Bladder, Sex, and Progressive MS. This educational series is made available through the collaboration of the following chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Connecticut, Greater New England, Long Island, New Jersey Metro, New York City - Southern New York, Rhode Island and Upstate New York. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater New England Chapter P.O. Box 845945 Boston, MA 02284-5945 1-800-344-4867 http://www.msnewengland.org/
Posted by Steve at Wednesday, October 17, 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.