July 08, '08: An MS Patients Update to his Medication Vacation
Category: About Stuart
Posted by: stuart
An MS Patients Update to his Medication Vacation
By: Stuart Schlossman - July 8, 2008
This segment is the fourth and final update to my Hiatus stories which began on April 3rd, 2008
There are many who write or call me asking how I am feeling or how I am doing since my vacation from my much needed MS Medication. Of course at the time of my taking my vacation there must have been great mental confusion or instability that made me question the effectiveness of the medication. So many always asking me how we know that it ( whichever of the ms meds), works or not.
*An MS Story - POST HIATUS ( 3rd story in this series)- written April 15th
**The follow-up OF (the) "My Hiatus" Story .. written April 9th
**My Hiatus from my MS Medication - The Pros and Cons - a valuable lesson learned.... - written April 3rd, 2008
And after what happened to me (read the stories in order of date, if you need to catch-up to present) and what I can attest, is that the medication does work. When asked by doctors why I did this or when it was said that I should have known better, there was no way for me to correctly answer. I guess I became the Guinea pig for all else to learn-from.
It's been almost (3) months now since my last letter concerning that exercise in stupidity (stopping the medication). Sure, many of us have taken breaks or have wanted to take breaks.
=============================================By: Stuart Schlossman - July 8, 2008
This segment is the fourth and final update to my Hiatus stories which began on April 3rd, 2008
There are many who write or call me asking how I am feeling or how I am doing since my vacation from my much needed MS Medication. Of course at the time of my taking my vacation there must have been great mental confusion or instability that made me question the effectiveness of the medication. So many always asking me how we know that it ( whichever of the ms meds), works or not.
*An MS Story - POST HIATUS ( 3rd story in this series)- written April 15th
**The follow-up OF (the) "My Hiatus" Story .. written April 9th
**My Hiatus from my MS Medication - The Pros and Cons - a valuable lesson learned.... - written April 3rd, 2008
And after what happened to me (read the stories in order of date, if you need to catch-up to present) and what I can attest, is that the medication does work. When asked by doctors why I did this or when it was said that I should have known better, there was no way for me to correctly answer. I guess I became the Guinea pig for all else to learn-from.
It's been almost (3) months now since my last letter concerning that exercise in stupidity (stopping the medication). Sure, many of us have taken breaks or have wanted to take breaks.
July 08, '08: New Avonex Copay assistance and Look who is turning 2 !!
Category: M.S. Drug Therapy (A,B,C,R,+ other meds)
Posted by: stuart
July 2, 2008 - There is a new Copay Assistance Program for Avonex through MS Active Support (1-800-456-2255). The monthly copay is only $10 with no annual limit for patients who qualify. For more information, please visit www.avonex.com.
July 2, 2008 - Guess who is turning 2? Tysabri® (natalizumab) will be on the market for 2 years on July 16th 2008. For more information, please visit www.tysabri.com.
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July 2, 2008 - Guess who is turning 2? Tysabri® (natalizumab) will be on the market for 2 years on July 16th 2008. For more information, please visit www.tysabri.com.
Category: Stem Cell Related
Posted by: stuart
German and Spanish editions of MS in focus on stem cells now available
Issue 11 of MS in focus is now available to download for free in German and Spanish.
This edition presents a comprehensive picture of what is currently known about stem cells and how the different types may be used in the future of MS research and treatment.
English editions of all editions of MS in focus are available to download and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Subscribe to receive a print copy here.
CLICK here to open the Spanish and German Links
=============================================Issue 11 of MS in focus is now available to download for free in German and Spanish.
This edition presents a comprehensive picture of what is currently known about stem cells and how the different types may be used in the future of MS research and treatment.
English editions of all editions of MS in focus are available to download and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Subscribe to receive a print copy here.
CLICK here to open the Spanish and German Links
July 07, '08: Higher dose of MS drug no more efficient - says Teva
Category: M.S. Drug Therapy (A,B,C,R,+ other meds)
Posted by: stuart
Reuters- Yahoo News
Mon Jul 7, 2:47 AM ET
(Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd said data from a late-stage trial showed an increased dose of its multiple sclerosis drug, glatiramer acetate (GA), was not more efficient than an approved lower-dose version of the drug.
Teva was studying the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a 40mg version of GA compared with an approved 20mg version that is sold under the brand name Copaxone.
But the higher dose maintained the favorable safety and tolerability profile of Copaxone, the company, which is evaluating the use of GA for additional indications, said in a statement on Monday.
(Reporting by Pratish Narayanan in Bangalore; Editing by David Holmes)
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Mon Jul 7, 2:47 AM ET
(Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd said data from a late-stage trial showed an increased dose of its multiple sclerosis drug, glatiramer acetate (GA), was not more efficient than an approved lower-dose version of the drug.
Teva was studying the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a 40mg version of GA compared with an approved 20mg version that is sold under the brand name Copaxone.
But the higher dose maintained the favorable safety and tolerability profile of Copaxone, the company, which is evaluating the use of GA for additional indications, said in a statement on Monday.
(Reporting by Pratish Narayanan in Bangalore; Editing by David Holmes)
Category: Stem Cell Related
Posted by: stuart
StemCellPatents.com
Sunday July 6th, 2008 @ 17:12:02 EST
In multiple sclerosis the rationale for why stem cell therapy would have beneficial effects derives from observations that some types of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, are potent stimulators of immune regulatory T cells called "T Regulatory Cells", or back in the old days they were called "T Suppressor Cells". These cells selectively inhibit certain immune responses, while allowing other immune responses to exist. Why this is important is because many scientists believe that multiple sclerosis is an "autoimmune disease", that meaning that the immune system is attacking parts of the body. In the example of multiple sclerosis, the target antigen appears to be myelin basic protein, a protein that lines the nerves and allows for them to properly conduct signals.
Read Full Article and VIEW this must-see video concerning this procedure
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=============================================Sunday July 6th, 2008 @ 17:12:02 EST
In multiple sclerosis the rationale for why stem cell therapy would have beneficial effects derives from observations that some types of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, are potent stimulators of immune regulatory T cells called "T Regulatory Cells", or back in the old days they were called "T Suppressor Cells". These cells selectively inhibit certain immune responses, while allowing other immune responses to exist. Why this is important is because many scientists believe that multiple sclerosis is an "autoimmune disease", that meaning that the immune system is attacking parts of the body. In the example of multiple sclerosis, the target antigen appears to be myelin basic protein, a protein that lines the nerves and allows for them to properly conduct signals.
Read Full Article and VIEW this must-see video concerning this procedure
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July 06, '08: Breakthroughs Offer Hope to MS Patients - where-in every patient exhibits different symptoms
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Yahoo News
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
July 6, 2008 - 1:41pm
1 hour, 39 minutes ago
SUNDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- There's no one single way to suffer from multiple sclerosis.
Every patient exhibits different symptoms as the disease gnaws away at the nerve endings in the brain, the spinal cord and even the eyes.
Doctors aren't even sure what causes MS, or what makes one person more likely to get it than another.
"I have a patient who is 6 years old," said Dr. Daniel Kantor, director of the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Florida. "I have a patient who is 71 years old. I have patients from all walks of life, all ages."
But, the recent discovery of a second gene linked to multiple sclerosis -- hailed as a major breakthrough -- is giving researchers hope that they are zeroing in on useful treatments -- and, ultimately, a cure.
=============================================
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
July 6, 2008 - 1:41pm
1 hour, 39 minutes ago
SUNDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- There's no one single way to suffer from multiple sclerosis.
Every patient exhibits different symptoms as the disease gnaws away at the nerve endings in the brain, the spinal cord and even the eyes.
Doctors aren't even sure what causes MS, or what makes one person more likely to get it than another.
"I have a patient who is 6 years old," said Dr. Daniel Kantor, director of the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Florida. "I have a patient who is 71 years old. I have patients from all walks of life, all ages."
But, the recent discovery of a second gene linked to multiple sclerosis -- hailed as a major breakthrough -- is giving researchers hope that they are zeroing in on useful treatments -- and, ultimately, a cure.
Category: News from About MS .com
Posted by: stuart
These Tips, Might Help with Dysphagia
By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com
It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have difficulties swallowing. Also known as dysphagia, problems with swallowing can pose choking dangers or lead to aspiration pneumonia (where food or liquid goes into the lungs and causes infection). On the other hand, these problems can be so subtle that many people don’t even notice them, except when they occasionally gag on a bite of food or have a coughing fit when trying to swallow a pill. Regardless of how severe your dysphagia might be, it is important that those of us with MS who may have swallowing problems review our habits around eating and see if we can create new (and safer) habits.
=============================================By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com
It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have difficulties swallowing. Also known as dysphagia, problems with swallowing can pose choking dangers or lead to aspiration pneumonia (where food or liquid goes into the lungs and causes infection). On the other hand, these problems can be so subtle that many people don’t even notice them, except when they occasionally gag on a bite of food or have a coughing fit when trying to swallow a pill. Regardless of how severe your dysphagia might be, it is important that those of us with MS who may have swallowing problems review our habits around eating and see if we can create new (and safer) habits.
July 01, '08: New Map IDs The Core Of The Human Brain
Category: Misc. Medical News - Not MS Related
Posted by: stuart
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2008) — An international team of researchers has created the first complete high-resolution map of how millions of neural fibers in the human cerebral cortex -- the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher level thinking -- connect and communicate. Their groundbreaking work identified a single network core, or hub, that may be key to the workings of both hemispheres of the brain.
The work by the researchers from Indiana University, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, and Harvard Medical School marks a major step in understanding the most complicated and mysterious organ in the human body. It not only provides a comprehensive map of brain connections (the brain "connectome"), but also describes a novel application of a non-invasive technique that can be used by other scientists to continue mapping the trillions of neural connections in the brain at even greater resolution, which is becoming a new field of science termed "connectomics."
{{ CLICK HERE to view and image of this mapping }}
"This is one of the first steps necessary for building large-scale computational models of the human brain to help us understand processes that are difficult to observe, such as disease states and recovery processes to injuries," said Olaf Sporns, co-author of the study and neuroscientist at Indiana University.
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The work by the researchers from Indiana University, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, and Harvard Medical School marks a major step in understanding the most complicated and mysterious organ in the human body. It not only provides a comprehensive map of brain connections (the brain "connectome"), but also describes a novel application of a non-invasive technique that can be used by other scientists to continue mapping the trillions of neural connections in the brain at even greater resolution, which is becoming a new field of science termed "connectomics."
{{ CLICK HERE to view and image of this mapping }}
"This is one of the first steps necessary for building large-scale computational models of the human brain to help us understand processes that are difficult to observe, such as disease states and recovery processes to injuries," said Olaf Sporns, co-author of the study and neuroscientist at Indiana University.
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2008) — Animal studies by University of Michigan scientists suggest that people who experience the same clinical signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment.
The results, if borne out in further studies, point to a time when doctors will be able to target specific inflammatory processes in the body and more effectively help MS patients, using available drugs and new ones in the pipeline.
Since the 1990s, the treatment picture has brightened for people with multiple sclerosis in its most common form, relapsing-remitting MS. Beta interferon drugs and glatiramer acetate (marketed as Copaxone) have proved effective at decreasing the attack rate and suppressing inflammatory plaque development in many patients with MS. Yet why the drugs help some patients, but not others, has remained a mystery.
=============================================The results, if borne out in further studies, point to a time when doctors will be able to target specific inflammatory processes in the body and more effectively help MS patients, using available drugs and new ones in the pipeline.
Since the 1990s, the treatment picture has brightened for people with multiple sclerosis in its most common form, relapsing-remitting MS. Beta interferon drugs and glatiramer acetate (marketed as Copaxone) have proved effective at decreasing the attack rate and suppressing inflammatory plaque development in many patients with MS. Yet why the drugs help some patients, but not others, has remained a mystery.
July 01, '08: Caffeine each day, might keep the MS away...
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Coffee could help beat MS: study
Yahoo News - July 1, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A strong cup of coffee may do more than just wake you up in the mornings. It could also help you stave off multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.
Scientists in Oklahoma found that mice which had been immunized to develop an MS-like condition appeared to be protected from the disease by drinking the equivalent of six to eight cups of coffee a day.
>> Read complete article <<
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Yahoo News - July 1, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A strong cup of coffee may do more than just wake you up in the mornings. It could also help you stave off multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.
Scientists in Oklahoma found that mice which had been immunized to develop an MS-like condition appeared to be protected from the disease by drinking the equivalent of six to eight cups of coffee a day.
>> Read complete article <<
