Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
January 18, 2017
Amanda Adcock presented "One Treatment Option for Multiple Sclerosis" at the Huntsville Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Group Meeting on 1-17-17. Here are highlights from her presentation:
Multiple Sclerosis is an Autoimmune Disease:
- Multiple Sclerosis occurs when your immune cells attack healthy parts of your central nervous system
- B & T immune cells are thought to
- Multiple Sclerosis is thought to be triggered by a genetic predisposition AND environmental exposure
- 50 different genes are associated with Multiple Sclerosis
Michael & Lane
If You Have MS, Be your own advocate
- Is your current treatment for multiple sclerosis working?
- Partner with your healthcare provider
- Use diagnostic tests to judge your disease activity
- Evaluate your personal preferences and goals for treatment
- Does the schedule and delivery method of your treatment work with your lifestyle?
Greg & Olivia
- Is used to treat adults with relapsing MS
- Is for people who have tried two or more MS medications and have not achieved desired results
- Is thought to recognize and remove certain B & T immune cells thought to cause MS.
- Is given in 5 consecutive days in an IV infusion. The IV infusion takes about 7 hours.
Beth & Norm
After treatment:
- Your body slowly begins to replace the cells that were removed with new cells.
- You will have a monthly blood draw to monitor your B & T immune cell levels.
- 12 months after your first treatment, a second dose of IV infusion is given in 3 consecutive days.
- Most people will not need to take any further treatments. Some people will need to take a third dose.
Amy & Tom
Results:
- In a 2 year trial, people taking Lemtrada had 49% fewer relapse than people taking Rebif
- People taking Lemtrada had 42% less disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale