THE CAUSE(S) OF MS ARE NOT KNOWN
THEREFORE TREATMENT IS DIRECTED AT THE SYMPTOMS
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WHAT
MEDICATIONS ARE USED ?
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TREATMENT APPROACHES
A single treatment is unlikely to control the disease in patients.
The major problem with MS is you don't know the effect of various treatments vs. doing nothing relative to the progression of the disease.
Clinical trials usually run 3-5 years but the disease course unfolds over decades.
The placebo effect likely linking the nervous system, immune system and other factors has not been seriously considered in conventional medicine and a new field of study is exploring this area called psychoneuroimmunology. The brain influences the production of hormones and in-turn cause the release of neurotransmitters and cytokines. There is evidence to support that psychological stress and depression influence the functioning of the immune system. Doctors and researchers are not trained to deal with the integrated systems of patients, and they focus on the body alone instead of body and the mind.
There is no known cure for Ms. Different kinds of interferon (are claimed) can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks in patients who have the relapsing-remitting form of the disorder. October, 2000.
American medicine is referred to as the history of removing the placebo effect from clinical practice and moving away from clinical practice to statistical significant medicine.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS ABOUT CONVENTIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR MS.
- Consider conventional medicine first
- If your physician or other healthcare provider is not prepared to discuss the alternatives find another.
- Research and evaluate all forms of medicine
- Obtain accurate information about effectiveness, safety, cost, risk and effort involved.
- Objective independent randomized, controlled clinical trials, are the best source of information.
- If the practitioner uses 'scare tactics', to take his recommended medication, find another practitioner.
- If the researcher, physician or practitioner has a financial interest in the therapies then "Caveat Emptor" {Let The Buyer Beware}
- If you can't measure and monitor progress, then question its effectiveness.
- Discontinue the treatment when appropriate.
TELLTALE SIGNS OF QUESTIONABLE FORMS OF MEDICATION
MS IS A DISEASE THAT INVOLVES EXCESSIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM ACTIVITY
MEDICATIONS
WHEN FIRST DIAGNOSED
One of the most important therapy tools is a positive fighting attitude towards the disease. In some clinical trials 75% of MS patients had a placebo response that is believed generated by the mind. This would imply that positive thinking carries more weight than other therapies with some patients.
Specialist have the worst record of communicating an MS diagnoses to a patient. Studies suggest Family Practice Doctors have more compassion and communicate much better. It’s noteworthy that specialist have the highest rates of malpractice suits. Reviews of anecdotal evidence suggests that immediately after diagnoses the patient pain escalated three fold. A negative mental state has been shown to disable the immune system worsening the Ms symptoms. Depression also reduces the T & B cell activity causing a worsening of symptoms. The first 3-4 years after MS diagnoses is critical to prevent suicide and aggravation of the disease (including pain and depression).
The patient needs reassurance, immediate education and a system to develop a mental process for fighting the disease to improve the immune system. Conjuring up a mental army to fight the disease has proven quite effective. (A form of self-hypnosis).
However in the UK only about 1% of patients with neurological symptoms are referred to neurologists (Sept 99)
SECOND STEP
Many specialist immediately run to what they call the ABC drug therapies of Avonex® & Rebif®, Betaseron® & Copaxone® unaware that they themselves might be the cause of the aggravation with their diagnosis style.
The neurologist therapy guidelines are “drugs should be continued indefinitely, unless clear lack of benefits, intolerable side effects, new data for cessation or better therapy is available”. This is a truly absurd statement and there is no scientific rational to support this position. ABC drugs in UK studies suggest no benefit to SPMS or PPMS patients (Sept 99)
American Clinical tries of Betaseron for SPMS are stopped Sept 1999 as NO significant improvements are expected. Betaseron is approved for SPMS in Canada, Europe and Australia.
DIET THERAPY
A study of 14 marathon runners indicates a very low fat diet may result in a dive in your immune system protection (U of Buffalo) 17% fat consumption compromised the immune system. 32% and 41% fat consumption increased the immune system. Other studies support this conclusion. No overall Ms diet has been supported by scientific research. The current dietary strategy of high carbohydrates and low fat might be detrimental to MS management.
http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/ms a good site for latest Doctor summary
BLOOD PLASMA SWAPPING www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9909/htm/multipe.htm
It is noteworthy that: The bacterium chlamydia pneumoniae was found in all MS patients in Nashville TN study of 37 MS patients at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Acute Sclerosis had a dramatic response to antibiotics.
Mayo Clinic has been experimenting with blood plasma swapping since the early 1990’s. The latest double blind study with a switch over of only the most severe cases (acute sclerosis) showed 42% experienced moderate to marked improvement including full recovery of body functions. The MS patient has their plasma removed and replaced with the protein albumin or a synthetic fluid with plasma-like properties. This test procedure used seven transfers over a 2 week period.
Adult blood is 5-6 liters and is composed of:
Plasma is 50% of blood fluid, the type of antibody in plasma may differ from person to person.
Platelets (thrombocytes) are replaced every week to eight days
Platelets and Plasma stop bleeding from wounds
Red cells (erythrocytes) are replaced every four months at the rate of 100 million per minute, contain hemoglobin responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer. Antigen on the surface of red cells may differ from person to person. Antigen’s type A, B, AB or O, and Rhesus Rh+, Rh-
White cells (leukocytes) are replaced every week and that play a key role in immunity to infections and poisons.Granulocytes (70%) that digest bacteriaMS patients exhibit nocturnal decreases in AVP (Arginine Vasopressin Plasma) into plasma suggesting this system is somehow involved in MS.
Lymphocytes (20-25%) that participate in immune reactions
Monocytes (3-8%) that digest nonbacterial particles, usually during chronic infections.Blood Plasma swapping is a category III procedure meaning inconclusive evidence for efficacy: uncertain benefit/risk ratio. The researchers admit they don’t know why it works but it opens up a new door of research.
INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IVIg) antibodies from healthy donors are injected into MS patients and 25% of RRMS who received monthly infusions had a reduction in disability.
ANTIGEN (Antegren) (Natalizumab) an experimental drug used for crohn's disease that uses the immune system to attack the intestinal walls, where as in Ms the immune system attacks the brain and spine. Preliminary tests of 213 Ms patients suggest a dramatic reduction of new brain lesions and cuts in relapse rate by 50%. This study is being conducted by the drug companies. (January 2003). Two follow-up studies of 2,100 people are being conducted. It is believed the drug targets immune cells to stop them lodging in the brain, where they can cause the brain lesions.
CRRY PROTEIN Mice studies using CRRY a immune regulator protein did not get induced MS or had a very delayed onset of symptoms. (Dec, 1999)
FREE RADICALS are linked to the pathogenesis of lesions in MS. Lipid peroxydation myelin damage and disability are correlated (1999) France on the neuronet.org
MARIJUANA AND CANNABINCOIDS
Canada Health has granted $1.5 million over 5 years to study the anecdotal claims.
MMP INHIBITORS
(MMP) Matrix Metalloproteinases are enzymes (proteins) that regulate chemical reactions. They break down barriers to allow cells to get where they are needed. They sometimes go bad and allow the bad guys to negatively impact the nervous system. They can degrade myelin. MMP’s are over represented in MS brain tissue. However MMP inhibitors must be specific so as not to kill the good guys. Research continues.
MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN
New Zealand is producing genetically altered cows to produce a myelin basic protein for use in clinical testing. American tests with myelin proteins on primates had a recent failure but they still remain optimistic. Needs more review of this area. If Mayo Clinic is correct that demyelination does not lead to MS symptoms then this may be a false trail but any attempt to assist the body in remyelination has to be a good thing?
Spontaneous remyelination is pronounced in some MS patients. Complete remyelination is possible leading to shadow plaques. Remyelination is most prominant in early RRMS and then becomes sparse after a few years. Very little remyelination is found in PPMS.
Oral myelin (myoral)
Linomide (roquinomex) a non-immunosuppressive
Intravenous gammaglobulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 to promote remyelination.
ENZYME (cPLA2) CYTOSOLIC PHOSPHOLIPASE A2
Enzyme (cPLA2) has been shown to control the onset and progression of Ms. (McGill 2004). The inhibitor used to suppress (cPLA2) can't be used on humans. An Australian study suggests Ms is not an auto-immune disease but a destruction of the cells responsible for myelin regeneration. This was as a result of a 15 year old girl dying from Ms and her autopsy. May 5, 2004, Dr Brenda Banwell announced a 5 year study in Canada to find the key triggers leading to the development of Ms with a focus on pediatric or childhood Ms. Children as young as age 3 have been identified with the clinically isolated syndrome and about 5% of patients report symptom onset during childhood. Other researchers suggest the epigenetic markers may plant a significant role in the trigger mechanism. This is the most encouraging Ms research path in the last 40 years of my association with Ms.
TCR VACCINE AND T-CELL VACCINE vaccinating against white blood cells attacking myelen. Those tested are PPMS and SPMS, the MS didn't worsen but there were too few tested patients to prove benefits.
VIAGRA vs MS (Phosphodiesterase inhibitor sildenafil citrate)
Testing is in progress but not to be taken with any nitrates including nitoglycerine as it can result in dangerously low blood pressures. This sounds like a fringe one to me except for its intended purpose. As do others not listed. Tests confirm that viagra works as intended with MS men. Other similar drugs are yohimbine and other adrenoreceptor blockers.
BBB (the Blood Brain Barrier) usually has a breakdown during an MS attack. The BBB
is designed to protect the brain and the nerves of the spinal chord from attack by
viruses, bacteria and other toxins. Three related chemicals have been found that strengthen the
BBB. They are anthocyanosides, proanthocyanidens and procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs). These
are all variants of a common class of chemicals called flavonoids. Research tests using
flavonoids in rats show encouraging results and they also reduce inflammation.
Now don't get too excited there are 500 varieties of flavonoids and at least 20,760,000
members of the flavonois class. However anthocyanosides give blueberries, cherries
and blackberries their color. Proanthocyanidins and their oligomers (PCOs) are found in
purple grape skins and grape seeds as well as the bark and needles of certain pine trees.
PCOs derived from pine bark are typically marketed under the trade name pycnogencls.
Grape seed extract is also a potential antioxidant for those herbalists among us.
Check http://wellweb.com a good hopeful read. (Dec 99)
CYTOSOLIC PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 (cPLA2)
cPLA2 enzyme may be the Ms switch. It appears to call in the immune cells to clean up debris. In Ms there's an abnormal influx of these immune cells. The enzyme has been shown to control the onset and progression of Ms in mice. Blocking this enzyme has a remarkable effect in preventing the disease and its progression. McGill University, Montreal 2004.
This is very promising news but keep in mind a safe enzyme inhibitor needs to be developed and tested, clinical trials conducted and government approval obtained before available to the general public. What is exciting is we may be talking years rather than decades. Lets us hope human trials prove as exciting as animal tests.
Athena Klyvas and Samuel David February 5, 2004
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that results in motor and sensory deficits. Although MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are thought to be T cell-mediated diseases, the mechanisms underlying the lesions in the CNS are not fully understood. We propose that a strong candidate as a central mediator in evoking the complex pathological changes seen in MS and EAE is the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). One of the metabolic products of this enzyme is pro-inflammatory, while the other induces myelin breakdown, demyelination, and chemokine/cytokine expression. We provide evidence that cPLA2 is highly expressed in EAE lesions and show that blocking this enzyme leads to a remarkable reduction in the onset and progression of EAE.
NERVE GENE A gene (Nogo) is identified that prevents the brain and spinal cord from rewiring themselves after injury. The gene produces a protein that prevents nerve-cell connections in the central nervous system from regenerating. Rat experiments show that when the protein is blocked, the spinal cord can repair itself. Work on the nogo gene has been going on for 15 years.
ENZYMES Enzymes are called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that assist cells where they want to go and can be helpful or harmful. It is believed that the beta interferons may inhibit the ability of white blood cells to make MMPs and thereby making it harder to travel to the brain and cause damage according to that theory. The real cause of Ms is unknown. Mice experiments are encouraging and are now moving into human testing. University of Calgary August 3, 2000.
NERVE GROWTH (REGENERATION)
The neurologists of the world were firm in their belief that it was impossible to regenerate nerves. Christopher Reeve (Superman) declared 'nothing is impossible and proved the medical community was wrong by using electrical stimulation to regenerate previously damaged nerves. "Four chemicals that block the signals with which myelin inhibits re-growth of nerve cells are identified. A set of chemicals that breaks down this barrier to re-growth of damaged nerves has been discovered. Studies are at the rat stage but very promising. John Hopkins University, Baltimore., Md. 2002
ASPARTAME CONNECTION
Aepartame may produce an Ms-like syndrome. As far back as 1996 it was shown that the lesions produced in the myelin sheath of axons in cases of multiple sclerosis were related ro excittatory receptors on the primary cells involved called oligodendroglia. Recent studies have confirmed that the loss of myelin sheath on the nerve fibers characteristic of the disease are due to the death of these oligodendroglial cells at the site of the lesions (called plaques). It is believed the death of these important cells is a result of excessive exposure to excitotoxins at the site of the lesions. These excitotoxins are also believed to break down the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), allowing excitotoxin in the blood stream to enter the site of damage. It is suggested a diet high in excitotoxins, such as aspartame, can convert benign Ms, a subclinical condition into full-blown clinical Ms.
ANTIBODY
Studies continue whereby the patients immune system is shut down by chemotherapy and restarted using the patients own bone marrow is an interesting area of investigation. A number of studies have previously focused on advanced Ms but recent test have be directed towards less advanced cases. Don't expect any clear results for 3-5 years which is normal for Ms study results.
WILD FRONTIERS
When we think of causes of disease we think of bacteria, virus and now we
have the preon. Preon is a protein that replicates itself and like Ms
attacks the central nervous system, spinal cord and the brain.
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