Any positive news regarding the treatment of MS or any other life altering disease is good news. It continues to give us hope for the future of our own lives and maybe more importantly the lives of the next generations. My children, two sons, have the unfortunate circumstance of both parents being diagnosed with MS. Their father passed away in 1998 after being severaly affected by MS for a little over 8 years. I was diagnosed in 2005 and due to current meds (copaxone) I am thankfully living without any seriour issues. I exercise regularly in an attempt to stay fit and strong to battle this disease. Thank you for your continued support of the MS community and up to date news.

Was diagnosed in 1986,would like to try the drug.
Sandra Michael
601 S. Jefferson St.
765 348-3154
cell-765-499-4923
Kevin J. Puzio M.D.
Tel 317 863-5900
www.neurologyindiana.com
fax 317 842 1581

I have a question.....If there is no cure, and we don't know what causes MS, how do we give MS to mice to study? I was diagnosed in January of 2000. I had actually had the disease, since 1991 or 1992. I went to my family physician, numerous times, complaining of numbness and tingling in various places of my body. I think he thought I was crazy. After having a migraine that lasted 11 days, in 2000, I was given an MRI, which found the MS. I see a great Neurologist from IU in Indianapolis. I pray for a cure. Living with this terrible disease, is for the birds. Thanks for your time.

Hi Tricia,

That is a great question. I don't know the exact answer to that, as I am not a scientist or a medical professional. My only two assumptions would be that the scientists have a way to implement DNA and other integral parts of mice that have had MS and are then able to harbor the disease in other mice for testing. My second assumption is that scientists may inject a very similar disease to MS that causes similar side effects.

I too hope for a cure and look forward to a bright future with all these medical advances! I'm so glad you have a great neuro as many of us know how important it is to have a fantastic doctor you feel comfortable with!

Thank you very much for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts!

Sign me up! I will gladly test any drug that is considered a possible help for MS patients!

I hope this in deed is a step closer to a cure.... I too am willing to participate in any studies or trials please..... I had a rapid progression of 10 new lesions in a yr on avonex now on tysabri, help me cuz its also started secondary dementia. Help!

Thank you for sharing this encouraging study. My daughter, Jill, was diagnosed when she was 14. It has been unbelievably difficult and disappointing when one new treatment after another was not helpful to my sweet girl! Her fight has always been stronger than her fear, and I'm grateful to God for that. She is now 41, and has more fight in her today, than she had 27 yrs. ago. I will be waiting to continue reading about how this study is progressing. I would like more information about your human trials, and if you are considering adding new patients to your clinical trials. Thank you so much for adding another knot on the end of the rope for all those "Living With MS"!

I was diagnosed with MS several years ago and am in the process of moving and finding a new neurologist. I have been on Avonex and Copaxone and the neurologist I had thought that neither had worked successfully for me. At this moment I am incredibly torn between wanting to just stop any treatment and trying to find hope to continue fighting MS. I hope to find the right neurologist after this move is completed.

I have MS,was diagnosed 3 years ago and I'm on Beta-Seron'. I have had what was thought to be an exacerbation. did the week of roids infustions and I met a lil girl who just turned 13 was doing the same thing i was. I felt like at least i got 27 years this poor lil girl just turned 13 couldn't have her party she was too tired and didn't have the injury. I'm all about finding a cure i cannot get this girl's story out of my head. 13 her life is just starting and she has to fight this faceless monster. I live in Knoxville,TN and if need be would get in this for her and the rest of us who wants normal and doesn't want to wake up one day with my vision gone or something as such!

I want my pain to just STOP..I want to stand and not feel like i have to ly down,,because the pain is intense..i want my vision to just quit being fine--then fuzzyyyyy...fine--then fuzzyyyyyy.. i want to feel my feet again,,and be able to wear flip-flops without it being painful... i just want to be HAPPY again...Thats all...

p.s. how to scientists give mice MS??? when we dont know what really causes it....

I have been diagnosed RRMS since '96. I research and leave relative information concerning Multiple Sclerosis on a groups site on facebook. It's a open site . https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/175969822505150/

Hi Susan L.,

I mentioned above in a comment my best guess regarding scientists giving mice MS, so here it is:

"That is a great question. I don't know the exact answer to that, as I am not a scientist or a medical professional. My only two assumptions would be that the scientists have a way to implement DNA and other integral parts of mice that have had MS and are then able to harbor the disease in other mice for testing. My second assumption is that scientists may inject a very similar disease to MS that causes similar side effects."

Don't give up fighting the fight. I've been in your shoes and have fought hard over the last few years to get me to a happy and healthy state. If I can do it, you can too!

Thank you very much for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts!

Can I get an opinion about a spinal tap please. My MRI of my brain clearly shows MS - No dounbt in my MD or Neurologist's minds. But they keep telling me in order to give me medication - I have to get a spinal tap. Any suggestions?

Crystal, It is my understanding as a nurse that a definitive diagnosis of MS requires 2 things. The first thing is lesions on the brain and/or brain stem shown on a MRI and/or MRA. Also, there are certain proteins that will show positive in your spinal fluid that would not be present in a patient without MS. The spinal tap also eliminates numerous other potential causes for your symptoms. Meningitis and lyme disease are just a couple. The spinal tap itself is minimally uncomfortable for just a short period of time if done by an experienced neurologist. I, myself, was diagnosed approximately a year and a half ago and looking back on it am very glad that my neurologist conducted both tests. MS is a terrible disease but having a 100% positive dignosis has allowed me to skip over the part of wondering if it is something else and given me the opportunity to focus on the disease and how to maintain my optimal health. Peace of mind is really worth the spinal tap in my opinion. Good luck to you.

Hi Crystal,

You mention that your brain MRI definitely shows MS, but in order to have a clear diagnosis, you also need to have two separate episodes of MS-related symptoms at different times. Most doctors cannot accurately diagnose you with just one occurrence, even if you have lesions on the brain; this was true for me 10 years ago when I was diagnosed. Once I had my second relapse, they were able to definitively diagnose me with MS.

Perhaps this is a similar scenario for you? Have you had one, two, or more episodes of symptoms? If you just had one, perhaps your doctor needs to test your spine to see if there are lesions as well. If so, he probably feels comfortable making the diagnosis. But if you had two separate episodes, then from my research and experience, this should be enough to diagnose you and you can definitely get a second opinion. Just take your MRIs to another nero and share your story with him or her.

I hope this helps and best of luck to you!!!

Daryl