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.

Monday, January 7, 2013

UMASS Focus group recruitment

Dear Friend, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. We wanted to share this opportunity for you to participate in a focus group that is being run by the University of Massachusetts. Sessions will be held in Boston, Fall River, Greenfield, Lowell and Worcester, and there is a $50 stipend for those who are selected and participate. Please see the eligibility criteria and contact information below. Thank you and have a great day. UMASS FOCUS GROUP Recruitment The University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Health Policy and Research is conducting a study to understand the types of health care services people with disabilities need in order to work or return to work. We are looking for volunteers to participate in a focus group, which is a group discussion that lasts about 2 hours. If you participate in a focus group, you will be paid $50 for your time. Refreshments will be provided. Focus groups will be held in Boston, Fall River, Greenfield, Lowell, and Worcester in early 2013. To volunteer, you must: Be a person with a physical disability, mental or emotional problem, a sensory impairment (such as blindness or deafness), or a long-term or chronic disease Be currently receiving employer-sponsored or private health insurance or Medicare (in addition to other insurance, you may also be receiving Medicaid or MassHealth) Be currently employed either full-time or part-time, or actively looking for a job Speak English or use American Sign Language Be working age, between 21-64 years of age Live in the community For more information or to volunteer for a focus group, please contact Laura Sefton by calling (508) 856-4213 or emailing Laura.Sefton@umassmed.edu. Please leave your name, e-mail address and/or phone number so that we may contact you. Thank you! Your participation is entirely voluntary. Nothing will happen to any services you receive if you decide not to participate. Your identity will be kept strictly confidential and your name will not be connected with anything you say in the focus group. Only a summary report of the issues discussed during the focus group will be shared in our final report. This research is funded by the Social Security Administration, which is part of the federal government. See also: Subscribe to Greater New England Chapter Publications Chapter Calendar at a Glance National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter 101A First Avenue, Suite 6 | Waltham, Mass. 02451-1115 tel: 1 800-344-4867 | fax: 1 781-890-2089 | MSnewengland.org
Posted by Steve at Monday, January 07, 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.