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.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Ask Your Representative to Support MS Achievement Centers

Take Action!


Just last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) introduced the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act. This legislation authorizes a total of $28 million over a period of 5 years to expand and enhance Adult Day Achievement Center programs for people living with MS and similar chronic conditions. Help provide support for people living with MS and their family caregivers by contacting your Representative today and urging him/her to cosponsor H.R. 6208!

The concept of this legislation is based upon the success of existing MS Adult Day Programs (MSADP). MSADPs provide an important response to the needs of people with severe MS and their caregivers. For persons living with MS, MSADPs offer medical care, rehabilitation therapies, assistance with activities of daily living, nutrition therapy, health monitoring, social interaction, and stimulating activities that are appropriate for a younger disabled population. These can help to ameliorate MS symptoms, reduce dependency, provide important socialization opportunities and maintain quality of life. Additionally, MSADPs provide caregivers of people living with MS an opportunity to seek employment, run errands or simply offer some respite during the day.

There are less than a dozen MSADPs in the United States at present; thus, the vast majority of the MS population is denied access to these enormously beneficial programs. Enacting this legislation will give existing programs the chance to expand and will enable new ones to emerge. Please encourage your Representative to support H.R.6208 to help support these important programs!

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 Thursday, September 30, 2010 0 comments

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

House Passes H.R. 1362

Congress has heard your requests and the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act! Due to your countless e-mails, phone calls, and discussions, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1362 late last night and this bill is one significant step closer to becoming law. For the past two years, we have been working hard along with our partners in the Parkinson’s community to make this a reality. Thank you!

This legislation will establish a national data surveillance system that will track and collect data on the epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, and other factors of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s. Currently, such a national coordinated system does not exist to collect data on MS. The development of a surveillance system will address this gap by gathering all existing data on the incidence and prevalence of MS in one location. As a result, this system could help uncover and inform promising areas of MS research such as: genetic and environmental risk factors, and support the discovery of disease therapies, treatments, and one day—a cure.

Last night’s passage in the House was historic, but we are not quite done yet. To make this data system a reality, the Senate must now take action on S. 1273. We will be contacting you again soon to ask you to continue your advocacy and urge your Senators to support passage of S. 1273 this Congress. So stay tuned but in the meantime enjoy this victory – you deserve it!

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 Wednesday, September 29, 2010 0 comments

Monday, September 27, 2010

House to Vote on MS Registry Bill

Great news! Congress has heard your requests and the House of Representatives will be considering H.R. 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, tomorrow on the House floor! This is an extremely critical point and your voice of support can help this bill get passed in the House. Take a few brief minutes to email your Member of Congress and urge his/her support of this bill's passage.

Just last week, the House Energy & Commerce Committee met to mark-up H.R. 1362. During this meeting, the National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registries Act was expanded to make the surveillance system available to all neurological conditions, maintaining MS and Parkinson’s as a priority. The Committee unanimously passed the expanded bill, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, by voice vote.

This legislation will establish a national data surveillance system that will track and collect data on the epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, and other factors of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Currently, such a national coordinated system does not exist to collect data on MS. The development of a surveillance system will address this gap by gathering all existing data on the incidence and prevalence of MS in one location. As a result, this system could help uncover and inform promising areas of MS research such as: genetic and environmental risk factors, and support the discovery of disease therapies, treatments, and one day—a cure. Learn more about the bill.

Victory in the House will bring us further than we have ever been before, so please continue to voice your support! Take action now! Email your Representative in support of H.R. 1362 to establish a surveillance system for MS today!

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNet
Posted by Steve at Monday, September 27, 2010 0 comments
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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.