August 23, '10: Medical Care in the 21st Century
Category: MS Patient Stories
Posted by: stuart
Patient Power-Medical Care in the 21st Century
Vol. 9, No. 497 - By Islanders, For Islanders
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida - August 20th, 2010
In 2010, when someone receives bad news from their doctor, their first stop is often their home computer. This trend is a double edged sword according to many physicians. Their patients are both more knowledgeable about their diagnosis and treatment options, and more likely to run across erroneous information presented as fact. One thing is certain, the days of patients saying, “Whatever you think best, Doctor” are fading away as more people take responsibility for their health care and demand more of their physicians.
The Internet has certainly changed the isolation that many people felt in the past. Someone diagnosed with the rarest of conditions, can, within minutes on the Internet, connect with someone else with the same condition. And sometimes, knowing that you’re not alone is medicine in itself.
That kind of reaching out and connecting helped Ann Cherry, 56, to find information and resources which led her to an alternative treatment for her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) three years ago.
=============================================Vol. 9, No. 497 - By Islanders, For Islanders
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida - August 20th, 2010
In 2010, when someone receives bad news from their doctor, their first stop is often their home computer. This trend is a double edged sword according to many physicians. Their patients are both more knowledgeable about their diagnosis and treatment options, and more likely to run across erroneous information presented as fact. One thing is certain, the days of patients saying, “Whatever you think best, Doctor” are fading away as more people take responsibility for their health care and demand more of their physicians.
The Internet has certainly changed the isolation that many people felt in the past. Someone diagnosed with the rarest of conditions, can, within minutes on the Internet, connect with someone else with the same condition. And sometimes, knowing that you’re not alone is medicine in itself.
That kind of reaching out and connecting helped Ann Cherry, 56, to find information and resources which led her to an alternative treatment for her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) three years ago.
June 09, '10: Recommendations on Vitamin D use in Multiple Sclerosis
Category: Alternative Therapies
Posted by: stuart
From the Annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
June 2-5, 2010 San Antonio Texas
Information provided by: Cherie C. Binns RN BS MSCN
In a talk given by Alan Bowling, MD PhD of the Colorado Neurological Institute in Englewood, Co, Vitamin D usage in Patients with MS was revisited.
For several years now, it has been felt that Vitamin D has a neuroprotective effect on the Central Nervous System in persons with MS and that most of these people test low or deficient in Vitamin D Levels. Supplementation has been thought to be helpful in protecting against further axonal damage and even potentially prevent relapses. To date, Vitamin D has been believed to be free of major adverse side effects and is safe in even high doses of up to 10,000 IU daily for long periods of time. There is anecdotal evidence that persons with MS (PWMS) report feeling better with a reduction in neurological symptoms while on high doses of this vitamin.
=============================================
June 2-5, 2010 San Antonio Texas
Information provided by: Cherie C. Binns RN BS MSCN
In a talk given by Alan Bowling, MD PhD of the Colorado Neurological Institute in Englewood, Co, Vitamin D usage in Patients with MS was revisited.
For several years now, it has been felt that Vitamin D has a neuroprotective effect on the Central Nervous System in persons with MS and that most of these people test low or deficient in Vitamin D Levels. Supplementation has been thought to be helpful in protecting against further axonal damage and even potentially prevent relapses. To date, Vitamin D has been believed to be free of major adverse side effects and is safe in even high doses of up to 10,000 IU daily for long periods of time. There is anecdotal evidence that persons with MS (PWMS) report feeling better with a reduction in neurological symptoms while on high doses of this vitamin.
Category: MS Patient Stories
Posted by: stuart
Stuart Schlossman of "MS Views and News" /"Stu's Views & MS News" notoriety, was recently asked to pose a few questions to Wendy Booker, mountain climber and competitive runner. Wendy has accomplishments and future goals. Read here.
Here are some of the questions Stuart asked of Wendy, and her responses
Questions:
1) What propels you to do what you do in Life?
My life today is nothing like it was before my diagnosis in 1998 with MS. I was going along in life, raising kids, working, being a soccer Mom when I learned I had this disease. MS certainly changed my life, but instead of looking at it as a barrier, MS has propelled me forward to a very different life than I anticipated or expected. Immediately after my diagnosis I decided I wanted to see just how hard and how far I could push back at the disease. The joy of learning what I am able to do despite MS has been continually rewarding and filled with what I now call my “three S’s”… self discovery, serendipity and stubbornness.
2) Where do you see yourself (your MS) in another 20 years?
Continue, to see this answer and other Questions and Answers
=============================================Here are some of the questions Stuart asked of Wendy, and her responses
Questions:
1) What propels you to do what you do in Life?
My life today is nothing like it was before my diagnosis in 1998 with MS. I was going along in life, raising kids, working, being a soccer Mom when I learned I had this disease. MS certainly changed my life, but instead of looking at it as a barrier, MS has propelled me forward to a very different life than I anticipated or expected. Immediately after my diagnosis I decided I wanted to see just how hard and how far I could push back at the disease. The joy of learning what I am able to do despite MS has been continually rewarding and filled with what I now call my “three S’s”… self discovery, serendipity and stubbornness.
2) Where do you see yourself (your MS) in another 20 years?
Continue, to see this answer and other Questions and Answers
May 18, '10: MS Venous Surgery - 'Liberation OR Placebo Effect'?
Written: may 18, 2010
By Evra Taylor levy & Eddy Lang, Freelance
(article source see below)
In this article, read about MS, Dr. Zamboni's theory of and for the Liberation Treatment, and information on Zamboni's research
MONTREAL - Miracle cures are not a common occurrence but in the world of multiple sclerosis, the hopes of patients and their loved ones have never been as high as they are right now. The excitement stems from what is being touted as a circulation-improving surgical procedure that seems to promise remarkable results. With dramatic testimonials pitted against a skeptical scientific and regulatory community, the question is whether or not poor vein drainage from the head to the heart is a cause of MS and whether dilating the veins, known as "the liberation treatment," is helpful. We take a hard look at the evidence.
=============================================
By Evra Taylor levy & Eddy Lang, Freelance
(article source see below)
In this article, read about MS, Dr. Zamboni's theory of and for the Liberation Treatment, and information on Zamboni's research
MONTREAL - Miracle cures are not a common occurrence but in the world of multiple sclerosis, the hopes of patients and their loved ones have never been as high as they are right now. The excitement stems from what is being touted as a circulation-improving surgical procedure that seems to promise remarkable results. With dramatic testimonials pitted against a skeptical scientific and regulatory community, the question is whether or not poor vein drainage from the head to the heart is a cause of MS and whether dilating the veins, known as "the liberation treatment," is helpful. We take a hard look at the evidence.
Category: M.S. Drug Therapy (A,B,C,R,+ other meds)
Posted by: stuart
BioTrends is pleased to announce the publication of a new syndicated report,TreatmentTrends: Multiple Sclerosis. This report covers the use of disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as attitudes and perceptions toward these products, advantages and disadvantages, ideal patient types, barriers to growth and expected future use. In addition, respondents were queried about their awareness of and interest in MS products in development.
The study, based on feedback gathered in an on-line survey completed by 100 neurologists in March 2010, found that among the disease modifying agents available, Biogen Idec's Tysabri had the highest percent of neurologists indicating a recent increase in use. However, fear of PML is noted as a leading obstacle to expanded use of the product by 80% of the respondents. Furthermore, patients on Tysabri are significantly more likely to be given a drug holiday compared to other brands and this is usually at the direction of the neurologist as opposed to patient request.
=============================================The study, based on feedback gathered in an on-line survey completed by 100 neurologists in March 2010, found that among the disease modifying agents available, Biogen Idec's Tysabri had the highest percent of neurologists indicating a recent increase in use. However, fear of PML is noted as a leading obstacle to expanded use of the product by 80% of the respondents. Furthermore, patients on Tysabri are significantly more likely to be given a drug holiday compared to other brands and this is usually at the direction of the neurologist as opposed to patient request.
March 05, '10: AN MS Patient's Story on His LIBERATION TREATMENT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010
written by : Mark Kalina
Liberation
It is now 3 days after "Liberation Day". Sunday afternoon 12:30 pm. February 28th, 2010.
Three days ago, Dr. Mohsin Saeed at Scripps Clinic opened my left jugular vein with angioplasty and my right jugular vein with angioplasty followed by a stent. The procedure is called by its inventor, Dr. Paolo Zamboni, The Liberation Procedure. It is a revolutionary treatment for an old, disabling disease -- Multiple Sclerosis. Until about 3 months ago, the only theory I knew about MS was that it was an autoimmune disease which attacked and destroyed myelin, the external coating around nerves. For unknown reasons, nerve conduction was slowed while plaques formed in the brain. It was always unclear why or when attacks would happen but they did and were difficult to control. Modern medicine responded with anti-inflammatory drugs and immune suppressants following the line of reasoning that if the disease was caused by an immune response, then stopping the immune response would stop the disease.
I was always leery of this approach because as a doc, I felt I needed my immune system to stay well in the face of my patients who carried diseases. In fact, I was quite proud of my ability to stay well in the face of wintertime time viruses, etc. So even though my life and body had deteriorated significantly over my ten or so years with MS, I kept my head buried in the sand in terms of using the pharmaceutical technologies available to me and my peers with this affliction.
=============================================written by : Mark Kalina
Liberation
It is now 3 days after "Liberation Day". Sunday afternoon 12:30 pm. February 28th, 2010.
Three days ago, Dr. Mohsin Saeed at Scripps Clinic opened my left jugular vein with angioplasty and my right jugular vein with angioplasty followed by a stent. The procedure is called by its inventor, Dr. Paolo Zamboni, The Liberation Procedure. It is a revolutionary treatment for an old, disabling disease -- Multiple Sclerosis. Until about 3 months ago, the only theory I knew about MS was that it was an autoimmune disease which attacked and destroyed myelin, the external coating around nerves. For unknown reasons, nerve conduction was slowed while plaques formed in the brain. It was always unclear why or when attacks would happen but they did and were difficult to control. Modern medicine responded with anti-inflammatory drugs and immune suppressants following the line of reasoning that if the disease was caused by an immune response, then stopping the immune response would stop the disease.
I was always leery of this approach because as a doc, I felt I needed my immune system to stay well in the face of my patients who carried diseases. In fact, I was quite proud of my ability to stay well in the face of wintertime time viruses, etc. So even though my life and body had deteriorated significantly over my ten or so years with MS, I kept my head buried in the sand in terms of using the pharmaceutical technologies available to me and my peers with this affliction.
March 05, '10: Multiple Sclerosis Research - Attn Gulf War Veterans with MS and other autoimmune m-s symptoms
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
March 5, 2010 by Denise Nichols - Veterans Today
Italian Researchers Discover A Possible Onset Mechanism For Multiple Sclerosis
A non-pathogenic bacterium is capable of triggering an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis in the mouse, the model animal which helps to explain how human diseases work. This is what a group of researchers from the Catholic University of Rome, led by Francesco Ria (Institute of General Pathology) and Giovanni Delogu (Institute of Microbiology), have explained for the first time in a recently published article on the Journal of Immunology.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by an inflammatory reaction provoked by the immune system, leading to disruption of the coating of the nerve fibres in the Central Nervous System.
“We do not know what causes multiple sclerosis”, explains Francesco Ria, immunologist of the Catholic University. “We know that there exists a genetic factor and an environmental factor, but we do not yet possess a satisfactory theory which can explain how exactly this environmental factor works”.
Currently, there are two competing theories in the field: according to a first hypothesis, a virus hides within the brain and what causes the disease is the immunologic antiviral reaction. On the other hand, the second hypothesis states that a viral or bacterial pathogen similar to specific molecules of the Central Nervous System causes an inflammation which provokes a reaction of the immune system. This reaction ends up destroying the brain cells. The latter is called the autoimmune hypothesis.
=============================================Italian Researchers Discover A Possible Onset Mechanism For Multiple Sclerosis
A non-pathogenic bacterium is capable of triggering an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis in the mouse, the model animal which helps to explain how human diseases work. This is what a group of researchers from the Catholic University of Rome, led by Francesco Ria (Institute of General Pathology) and Giovanni Delogu (Institute of Microbiology), have explained for the first time in a recently published article on the Journal of Immunology.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by an inflammatory reaction provoked by the immune system, leading to disruption of the coating of the nerve fibres in the Central Nervous System.
“We do not know what causes multiple sclerosis”, explains Francesco Ria, immunologist of the Catholic University. “We know that there exists a genetic factor and an environmental factor, but we do not yet possess a satisfactory theory which can explain how exactly this environmental factor works”.
Currently, there are two competing theories in the field: according to a first hypothesis, a virus hides within the brain and what causes the disease is the immunologic antiviral reaction. On the other hand, the second hypothesis states that a viral or bacterial pathogen similar to specific molecules of the Central Nervous System causes an inflammation which provokes a reaction of the immune system. This reaction ends up destroying the brain cells. The latter is called the autoimmune hypothesis.
February 22, '10: Disease Modifying therapies for Multiple Sclerosis
Category: M.S. Drug Therapy (A,B,C,R,+ other meds)
Posted by: stuart
Information provided by Stuart S of MS Views and News
Article Source: MSRC-UK
Disease Modifying Drugs are a group of compounds which alter the progression of MS. They have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and slow the development of disability in some people.
Up until June 2006 there were traditionally two types of Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs) used in the treatment of MS.
These were:
Beta interferon - which comes in two forms, Beta interferon 1a and Beta interferon 1b
& Glatiramer acetate
Although their effect is quite similar, they work in different ways.
=============================================Article Source: MSRC-UK
Disease Modifying Drugs are a group of compounds which alter the progression of MS. They have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and slow the development of disability in some people.
Up until June 2006 there were traditionally two types of Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs) used in the treatment of MS.
These were:
Beta interferon - which comes in two forms, Beta interferon 1a and Beta interferon 1b
& Glatiramer acetate
Although their effect is quite similar, they work in different ways.
January 22, '10: FDA Approves: AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) to Improve Walking in People with Multiple Sclerosis –
Category: M.S. Drug Therapy (A,B,C,R,+ other meds)
Posted by: stuart
Acorda Therapeutics Announces FDA Approval of
AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) to Improve Walking in People with
Multiple Sclerosis – Demonstrated by Increases in Walking Speed
AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) to Improve Walking in People with
Multiple Sclerosis – Demonstrated by Increases in Walking Speed
· First and Only FDA-Approved Therapy Addressing Walking Impairment
· AMPYRA Previously Referred to as Fampridine-SR
· AMPYRA Expected to be Available by Prescription in March 2010
· Acorda Conference Call Today at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time
HAWTHORNE, N.Y., January 22, 2010 – Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that it has received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine), an oral treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA demonstrated efficacy in people with all four major types of MS (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, progressive relapsing and primary progressive). AMPYRA can be used alone or with existing MS therapies, including immunomodulator drugs.
“The approval of AMPYRA marks an important milestone for the many people with MS who suffer walking impairment. Difficulty walking is often cited by those with MS as one of the most pervasive and challenging aspects of their disease,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics, adding “We are enormously gratified to have achieved approval for the only medication indicated to improve walking in people with MS, and we thank all of the clinicians, people living with MS and medical and patient support organizations who joined in this effort over the past decade. Reaching this milestone underscores Acorda’s ongoing commitment to develop innovative therapies for people with neurological diseases.”
January 20, '10: New Ways to Treat Multiple Sclerosis
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
January 2010
Source: WSJ.com
By THOMAS GRYTA and JON KAMP
Multiple sclerosis seems to damage the central nervous system at a pace faster than the body's own repair mechanism can keep up. In an attempt to find new approaches to treat the disease, scientists are exploring techniques to give the repair process a boost.
An important area of research focuses on ways to help the body regenerate a fatty substance called myelin, which is damaged by attacks brought on by MS patients' own immune system. Myelin protects nerve fibers, or axons, much like insulation on electrical wire. Currently, the principal treatment for MS is with medications that aim to slow the disease's progression, but don't help repair the damage.
=============================================
Source: WSJ.com
By THOMAS GRYTA and JON KAMP
Multiple sclerosis seems to damage the central nervous system at a pace faster than the body's own repair mechanism can keep up. In an attempt to find new approaches to treat the disease, scientists are exploring techniques to give the repair process a boost.
An important area of research focuses on ways to help the body regenerate a fatty substance called myelin, which is damaged by attacks brought on by MS patients' own immune system. Myelin protects nerve fibers, or axons, much like insulation on electrical wire. Currently, the principal treatment for MS is with medications that aim to slow the disease's progression, but don't help repair the damage.
