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, January 2, 2013

Register Now for the 2013 Employment Teleconference Series

Join us for the 2013 Employment Teleconference Series: Career Decisions and MS The National Capital, New York City-Southern New York and Greater Delaware Valley Chapters of the National MS Society are pleased to present a series of six teleconferences on a variety of topics related to employment and MS. Teleconferences will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. EST on alternate Wednesdays between January 16 and March 27, 2013. About the series A teleconference is an opportunity to learn new information by calling into a designated toll-free number to hear an interactive presentation. You can ask questions or just listen to the information. Best of all, you can do so from the comfort of your own home. Participate in all six teleconferences or just the ones that interest you. Please note that you will need to register for each teleconference individually. (1) Should I Work From Home or Start My Own Business? Wednesday, January 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Trying to decide if working from home or starting your own business is for you? Experts in both of these areas will talk about what it takes to be a successful home-based employee or entrepreneur. The deadline to register for this call is January 9. Register online. (2) Is it Time? Deciding to Change Careers or Stop Working Wednesday, January 30 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Working with MS is possible, but can be challenging at times. Is working or working in your field no longer an option? How do you know when it's time to stop or make a change? Learn from a counseling professional what to consider when having to make this important decision. The deadline to register for this call is January 23. Register online. (3) Deciding How to Plan Your Job Search. Employers Share How They Find Employees Wednesday, February 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Hear from a panel of employers on what they really look for in a job candidate, where they find candidates and how they fill openings. The deadline to register is February 6. Register online. (4) Should I Work? Work from Home Options for People on Social Security Disability Wednesday, February 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Are you on Social Security and want to work? Do you need to or prefer to work from home? Learn how working might impact your disability benefits and hear about work from home opportunities for people on Social Security. The deadline to register is February 20. Register online. (5) The Impact of Health Insurance on Career Decisions Wednesday, March 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Health insurance considerations can impact your decision to change jobs or leave the workforce. Learn about legal protections and questions to ask to ensure you have the coverage you need. The deadline to register is March 6. Register online. (6) How to Talk About MS to Your Employer Wednesday, March 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST Once you decide to disclose there are still many unanswered questions. Hear from employers and disability advocates on how to talk with your employer about your MS. The deadline to register is March 20. Register online. How to register To register for one or more of the teleconferences in this series, please click on the link(s) provided or call the National MS Society at 1-800-344-4867 at least one week prior to the teleconference(s) in which you would like to participate. You will receive call-in instructions and an information packet via email approximately one week prior to each call for which you are registered. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at Amber.stalker@nmss.org. Warm regards, Amber R Stalker, MEd Director, Community Programs See also: Teleconference Series Chapter Calendar at a Glance Subscribe to Chapter Publications
Posted by Steve at Wednesday, January 02, 2013

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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.