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.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

MS Awareness Week 2013, March 11-17

What if we could connect every person living with MS? Every person who cares about someone with MS. Every family affected by it. Everyone who has seen what this disease can do to people. What if we could come together, even one day a year, to show the power of our connections? MS Awareness Week is a time when our connections become more powerful than the connections MS destroys. Every day we see people connect to make a difference. It can be as simple as a man in Massachusetts clicking “share” on an article on how to keep health insurance coverage — it stops a woman in New Hampshire from losing her health insurance, which would mean she could afford her daily medications. MS Awareness Week, March 11–17, 2013 is a time for people affected by MS to connect with others, share knowledge and take action to increase awareness about the disease. Your voice and the connections you create will make the movement even more powerful. EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS Join the community at MSconnection.org Twitter Chat Join us March 14 from 12 noon to 1 pm for a Twitter chat with Dr. Ellen Lathi, Director of the MS Center at St Elizabeth's in Boston. Here's your chance to have your questions about MS answered by an expert. Use the Greater New England Chapter's Twitter handle @MS_NewEngland and the hash tag #askmsexpert. Flags of Hope In each of the four states in the Greater New England Chapter, there will be a Flags of Hope display, with one orange flag representing each person who has multiple sclerosis in that state. You can volunteer to help install and remove the flags in honor of your loved one who has MS, or for yourself, if you have MS. See video from last year's Flags of Hope at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pir8jReNHE. Contact emily.flanders@nmss.org to make arrangements to volunteer. Bernie and Phyl’s – Saugus, MA, Saturday 3/9/13, 8:30am – 10:30am RJ Kelly Company – Burlington, MA – Mall Road, Sunday 3/10/13, 10:00am – 12 noon HealthSouth New England Rehab Hospital – Portland, ME, Monday 3/11/13, 1:00pm –3:00pm Bedford NH, date and time TBD University of Vermont – Burlington, VT, Sunday, 3/10/13, 2pm – 3pm Ribbons of Hope at Church St. – Burlington, VT, Monday 3/11/13, 10am – 12:30pm MS Awareness Week Ribbons 2012 MS Awareness Week Flags 2012 MS Awareness Week Flags 2012 MS Awareness Week Activities What you can do to help build awareness to MS Awareness Greater New England Chapter activities in and around MS Awareness Week 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 Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867). Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue
Posted by Steve at Saturday, March 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.