Multiple Sclerosis: Critical Juncture for Health Care Reform

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.

The National MS Society

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Critical Juncture for Health Care Reform

Urge your U.S. Senators to Support Health Care Reform

We are at a critical juncture in the effort to overhaul and improve our nation's health care system. MS activists played an important role in shaping the process, from release of the Society's National Health Care Reform Principles to relentlessly making calls and sending emails to ensure that the legislation adequately supports those living with MS. As the Senate completes work on its health reform package, MS activists must rise to the occasion one more time. The Senate could vote as early as tomorrow, so contact your Senators now and urge them to support the Senate health reform bill.

The Senate bill makes substantial investments that will improve the lives of people living with MS and other chronic conditions or disabilities. In line with the Society's Principles, the Senate bill:

* Extends health coverage to tens of millions of people who are currently uninsured and underinsured;
* Works towards eliminating pre-existing condition discrimination;
* Prohibits monetary lifetime benefit caps;
* Restricts the use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care and beginning in 2014, completely prohibits monetary annual limits;
* Helps make coverage affordable by limiting out-of-pocket costs, providing subsidies to lower-income families;
* Increases certain providers' reimbursement; and
* Invests in community-based and long-term care.

People living with MS and other chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable in our current health care system. We need meaningful reform now.
Every vote counts. Take action today and urge both of your Senators to support the health reform bill so that we can seize this historic opportunity and take a true step towards accessible, affordable, comprehensive, quality health care for all.

Take Action

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)