I've learned a lot at this years conference... A lot about Alemtuzumab, which is an IV medication that is in trial... So, how it works... is you get a 5-day infusion the first year, 3-day infusion the second year and then you MAY not need it after that... it's very complex. Dr. Kantor interviewed my neurologist, Dr. Edward Fox: https://conferencecenter.msworld.org/ectrims-2012/day-three/long-term-safety-of-alemtuzumab
We heard A LOT about BG-12 at ECTRIMS and also the recently FDA approved medication Aubagio (teriflunomide), which is an oral medication for relapsing forms of MS.
One of the things I found interesting was a study on something we don't hear much "studying" about... Copaxone. Right now, Copaxone is a 20mg sub-q (under the skin) injection, once-a-day. What is being studied that we heard about at ECTRIMS, is taking Copaxone 3-times a week at 40mg sub-q injections. I really can't wait to hear more about this study because I know Copaxone is a very popular medication among patients and I think that if it worked the same with the injection being less frequent, patients would be happier taking this medication. If this study proves to work, I wonder how the injection site rotation would work. Right now, you usually rotate everyday with your injection site area... Maybe the less frequent shots would reduce the risk of lipoatrophy (skin indentations).
Something I've heard a lot about MS Patients, is that we are some of the MOST educated patients out there. I've also heard a lot how if someone is going to be diagnosed with MS, this is a "good time" to be diagnosed due to all of the up and coming medications and the positive strides in MS Research.
It's so hard to cover EVERYTHING discussed at ECTRIMS because there is 100 things a day. I will try and give more information soon, I'm home now and my brain needs to get back to it's regular time-zone.
What was your favorite thing we covered at ECTRIMS this year?
One of the things I found interesting was a study on something we don't hear much "studying" about... Copaxone. Right now, Copaxone is a 20mg sub-q (under the skin) injection, once-a-day. What is being studied that we heard about at ECTRIMS, is taking Copaxone 3-times a week at 40mg sub-q injections. I really can't wait to hear more about this study because I know Copaxone is a very popular medication among patients and I think that if it worked the same with the injection being less frequent, patients would be happier taking this medication. If this study proves to work, I wonder how the injection site rotation would work. Right now, you usually rotate everyday with your injection site area... Maybe the less frequent shots would reduce the risk of lipoatrophy (skin indentations).
Something I've heard a lot about MS Patients, is that we are some of the MOST educated patients out there. I've also heard a lot how if someone is going to be diagnosed with MS, this is a "good time" to be diagnosed due to all of the up and coming medications and the positive strides in MS Research.
It's so hard to cover EVERYTHING discussed at ECTRIMS because there is 100 things a day. I will try and give more information soon, I'm home now and my brain needs to get back to it's regular time-zone.
What was your favorite thing we covered at ECTRIMS this year?
I had to quit Copaxone due to lipoatrophy and my skin just getting so tough that I was just jabbing the needles in. 3x's a week would be a vast improvement! I really had no side affects from it other than that after 5 years of being on it. Now, I can't seem to find a med that works for me. I'm hoping BG 12 might be the answer.
ReplyDeleteAngela aka Musicang