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, April 4, 2011

Federal Focus - April 2011 Take Action! Protect Priorities for People with MS in the Federal Budget

Congress continues to work diligently to complete action on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget. Twice this year, the 112th Congress has passed short-term continuing resolutions that keep the federal governments and its programs operating. The first short-term extension was signed by the President on March 2 and kept the federal government operating through March 18 and the second short-term extension enacted in mid-March maintains operations through this Friday, April 8. As Congress continues to debate the budget, ask your Members of Congress to maintain vital programs for people living with MS.

In the continued difficult budget climate, much of the debate has centered around high level funding figures, whether large cuts should be made, and where they should occur. With both sides trying to complete work rather than enact yet another short-term solution or force a government shutdown, it appears from recent conversations that the negotiating parties are trying to determine the appropriate amount of funding cuts. The House of Representatives earlier passed a measure (H.R. 1) that would have cut $61 billion from current spending levels.

As federal spending for FY 2011 is finalized, it is vital that the MS community urge support of federal departments and programs that seek to improve the lives of people living with MS. Click here to email your members of Congress today and urge them to:

provide at least $6 million for MS research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP);
maintain and not cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and
provide at least $7 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

MS Activists Visit Capitol Hill During PPC

From March 7 – 9, 2011, approximately 350 MS activists from all over the country convened in Washington, DC for the National MS Society’s 20th annual Public Policy Conference (PPC). MS activists, all donning “MS orange” and including people living with MS, family members, caregivers and other Society staff and volunteers visited over 350 offices on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about MS and advocate for improved access to neurological care (S. 597), MS research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883/S. 495).

Direct results from Hill Day and MS activists’ work have already been seen. Within a week, at least six members of Congress have joined the Congressional MS Caucus and ten Representatives have joined as co-sponsors of the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883). Progress from the PPC will continue to be seen, as the Society’s advocacy efforts are truly year-round.

During the PPC, the Society awarded 2010 Representative of the Year awards to Representative William “Mac” Thornberry (TX-13) and Representative James R. Langevin (RI-2), as well as the 2010 Senator of the Year award to Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA), and a Congressional Staffer of the Year award to James “J.P.” Paluskiewicz, Legislative Director for Representative Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26). Visit the MS Activist Blog to view pictures from the conference.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org
Posted by Steve at Monday, April 04, 2011

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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.