1.  More People on Oral MS Treatments.  The uptake is growing quickly and safety information accumulating.  Gilenya, Aubagio and Tecfidera are providing new highly effective options for patients.  See our ORAL Treatment Chart for download/printing.

2. Copaxone 40 mg three times a week.  Likely USA approval end of January.  Large majority of patients on Copaxone will reduce their frequency of injections to only three times a week from 20 mg injected daily.  Less shots and better for the skin.

3. Generic MS treatment.  Possible FDA-approval of generic versions of Copaxone in May.  A lot of uncertainty if the generic versions of Copaxone will be truly equivalent IF approved.  Unclear how the health insurance companies will react.

4. Plegridy.  Interferon beta-1a injected under the skin (subcutaneously) every 2 weeks.  In a one-year clinical trial, peginterferon  demonstrated  a drop in relapses of 36% for every two-week injections compared to placebo and reduced the likelihood of disability progression by 38%.  Read more.

5. Lemtrada Appeal.  During this past week, the FDA denied approval of Lemtrada.  This annual infusion therapy had demonstrated a reduction in new relapses by 49-55% in two clinical trials.  Recently, Lemtrada was approved for use in Europe, Canada and Australia.  Genzyme will appeal the decision. Read more about the FDA’s decision.

6. Improved Vitamin D Levels.  More studies have demonstrated adequate Vitamin D levels are associated with less risk of relapses, less disability and less MRI activity. Aim for 50 to 100 nmol/L.  Talk to your healthcare provider.

7. More Global Patient Advocacy. People living with multiple sclerosis around the globe are becoming more informed about their treatment options and their disease including MRI results.  Advocacy groups are providing patient support and fundraising to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.  The internet including TWITTER have made newsworthy information about MS instantaneously global.

8. Human Remyelination Studies Proceed.  Early stages of experimental antibody therapies, including anti-Lingo-1,  anti-SEMA4D and rHIgM22, will continue to try to stimulate new myelin formation.

Share Your Story on www.ICanWithMS.org!

This website, just launched by Dr. Barry Singer,  gives voice to those living with MS.  MS cannot stop the spirit of those living with the disease. Submit your own post or read the other inspiring posts. Send your Tweets or Instagrams directly to the site using #ICanWithMS. The website is a collage of video, pictures, tweets and instagrams.  Don’t Let MS Define You!