Welcome

Art and Science

Awareness and Hope

Walk MS in SeattleApril 3, 2011 Walk MS in

Snohomish CountyApril 2, 2011

400,000 and 2.5 million

Virus or Bacteria?Genetics?Geography?

“Is it the trees?”

The immune system: Good Guys vs. Bad GuysThe Brain, spinal cord: “Nerve information Super highway”: Electrical wiringMisdirected self-defense: Demyelination

Let’s talk about symptoms

Visionmuscle strengthTouchPainBladderBalance and coordinationFatigueCognitivemood

Relapsing-remitting Secondary progressive

Primary progressive Relapsing progressive

Goal: Have more choices

Goal: Delay the progression

OnceSlow

Reduce

Active

Positive MRI

After your 1st flare-up

Reduces the risk of another by 44%

Take Action for Today and Tomorrow

Once a week injection

After 2 years, our patients decreased progression by 37%

After 5 years: 90% of our patients were still VERY

active

Very few negative side effects

After 10 years: 8 out of 10 patients

were less than 3.0 on the

EDSS scale(Expanded Disability Status

Scale)

The most accepted medication

Fifty percent of people with relapsing-remitting MS will develop secondary progressive MS within 10 years of their initial diagnosis

What We’ll Accomplish Together

What sets Avonex apart? A Very personal approachHow to administerYour questions and concernsNutrition, exercise and ideasUnderstanding side effects and your “worry” list Collaboration with your doctor

Prefilled from the refrigerator Correct name and expiration date Room temperature 30 minutes

heat source warm the syringe

Your “Once-a-Week” Injection

Frozen Peas

Like a Pencil

Possible Side Effects

Flu-ish Symptoms call me

or your doctor

Redness, swelling, itching

www.avonex.com

After 8 years, only 2% stopped because of side effects

In Summary Goal: Have more choices and

to delay the progression: Choosing AvonexOnce, Slow, Reduce, ActiveAfter 2 years, decreased progression by 37%After 5 years: 90% still VERY active

After 10 years: less than 3.0 on the EDSS scaleVery few side effects: Your personal RN (emotional, physical and financial concerns)50% of relapsing-remitting will develop secondary progressive within 10 years

Additional Support

MSnorthwest@nmsswas.org

www.avonex.com New Self-Help Groups:

Lynnwood and Seattle 1-800-344-4867

Questions? Ideas? Thoughts?

Art and Science

Nurse Jen425. 281. 2404