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, April 6, 2013

MS Events What's Happening near YOU!

Because MS affects more than just the individual diagnosed, all our programs welcome friends and family members unaccompanied by a person with MS. Register now! Outside organization events Live in New Hampshire? Help the Statewide Independent Living Council learn about the issues people living with disabilities face by completing this survey by April 12. Introduction to the Department of Veterans Affairs: Benefits, Health Care & Employment Services Eligibility and access to services earned through military service. Q&A to follow Speakers: Erik B. Johannessen, LICSW, Manchester VA Medical Center Location: A-TECH Services, 57 Regional Drive, Concord, NH on April 18 from 2- 4 pm FREE, pre-registration is required. RSVP to NH Governor’s Commission on Disability Call: 1-800-852-3405 / Email: disability@nh.gov MS Lakes Self Help Group – Friday, April 5, 2013, 1:00 – 3:00 pm Guest Instructor: Betty Webster for Gentle Yoga Peterborough Self-Help Group – Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10:00 - Noon Guest speaker: All-Ways Accessible Bangor-Brewer Self Help Group – Tuesday, April 9, 2013, Noon – 1:30 pm “Ask the Doctor” with Dr. Sandoval, EMMC Rehabilitation Portland Self Help Group – Wednesday, April 10, 2013, 5:30 – 7:00 pm Special Caregiver Group addition Sanford Self Help Group – Thursday, April 11, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Guest Speaker: Carlisle Academy on therapeutic and adaptive riding Sick of It! Living Beyond Illness Navigate the spiritual journey of illness, explore existential issues: letting go, accepting limitations, and living with uncertainty. Give voice to the illness experience in a new way. Location: Wright Tavern Center for Spiritual Renewal at First Parish in Concord, MA. Date: Sunday, April 21 Time: 4:30-6:30pm. More information and registration at http://www.wrighttavern.org/cms/ Winslow Self Help Group – Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 pm “Ask the Doctor” with Robert Bomprezzi, MD, PhD of Maine General Neurology Lebanon/Upper Valley Self Help Group- Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm “Ask the Doctor” with Brant Oliver, MD, MS Center of New Hampshire at Concord Hospital Easter Seals Massachusetts 2013 Assistive Technology Conference and Exposition on Monday, June 3 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_homepage Spring Teleconference Series - Missed a call? Go to Online Learning for archived recordings NH Spring Education Program – Sunday April 28th, Concord, NH VT Spring Education Program – Saturday May 18th, Stowe, VT MS Care Fair – Saturday May 18th, Attleboro, MA Let’s Get Organized! – Saturday May 4th, Bangor ME MS: Living Now & Looking Forward Conference – Saturday June 1st, Randolph, MA MS Vacation Week - June 9th-14th, Hebron, CT. Application Deadline May 15 Newly Diagnosed Beyond Diagnosis: Moving Forward – programs in MA & VT (April 20), and NH (June 29) “Can We Talk?” Newly Diagnosed Conference Calls: April 9, May 14, June 19 Tell Us Your Story Share your story and experiences. Stories may appear online, in MSConnections or shared with other media sources such as Momentum or mainstream print. Help spread MS awareness! *** SPECIAL REQUEST: Are you a person with MS who was denied Medicaid eligibility due to your income? Please contact michelle.dickson@nmss.org or call 1800-344-4867, option 2 ext 87146. Save the dates A Shared Promise: Annual Meeting of Members Research Update and EXPO Saturday, October 26 Doubletree, Portland ME Best Western, Marlborough MA Church Landing, Meredith NH Hilton, Burlington VT Everyday Matters: Wells ME, 5-week series. Learn to find your positives and strengths. Contact Heidi at 207-862-2148 for information. Registration opens April 15. Programs without Borders Café con Leche: Aproveche la oportunidad para hablar de sus preocupaciones y conozca a otras personas que entienden su situación. Computer Outreach Program Stay connected! For people who are restricted to their homes or living in long term care facilities without access to a computer. Contact Allyssa at 800-34-4867, option 2, ext 87402 Emotional Support in-person, on the phone, caregiver, professionally led and peer led. Get fit & have fun! Physical Wellness Reimbursement and Adaptive Recreation Reimbursement Online Resources: Teleconferences, Ask the Expert, Knowledge is Power, Learn Online & more Action Alert: Be a part of the issues important to people with MS at the federal, state and local levels. Making Connections: Share what you know when, where and how you want. Access to the best resources the MS community can bring you. Volunteer! Work in, around and behind the scenes. To learn more email Brenda.Barbour@nmss.org WALK, BIKE, RUN, CLIMB, PULL, BOAT, Muckfest, Challenge and DIY Fundraising SSDI Questions? Interested in checking in with our expert? Please call 781-693-5155 to schedule a phone consultation. Information & Referral Resource Center: Resources & services; financial assistance; Dora Lipcon Lending Library; care management & more. Contact: generalmailboxgne@nmss.org or 1-800-344-4867 To find out about other programs & events or to register: Online www.MSnewengland.org Call 1-800-344-4867 Be a fan of the Greater New England Chapter! www.facebook.com/MSnewengland
Posted by Steve at Saturday, April 06, 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.