Multiple Sclerosis
Diagnosis
Multiple Scerlosis, MS, is an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system malfunctions. MS causes the immune system to attack healthy areas of the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord. MS typically develops in men and women ages 15-35 and is a lifelong progressive disease that causes inflammatory damage to the nervous system.
Diagnosis of MS is based on clinical findings supported by blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests as well as brain and spinal cord abnormalities noted on MRI scans. There is no single test that definitely diagnoses MS. Degrees of certainty with diagnosis include Clinically Possible MS, Clinically Probable MS, and Clinical Definite MS.
Additional disease possibilities that target the Peripheral or Central Nervous System (like Guillain-Barre Syndrome or Lyme Disease) or the immune system (like Lupus or Sjogren's Syndrome) have similar symptoms to MS and could be considered by the physician as alternative diseases that act like MS.
Treatment
Disease Modifying Drug treatment changes the pace of the disturbed immune system to prevent attacks on the healthy nervous tissue of the brain and / or spinal cord.
1st Generation Beta-Interferon
- Betaseron - injection every other day
- Avonex - injection every week
- Plegridy - injection every two weeks
- Rebif - injection Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Copolymer
- Copaxone - injection Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
2nd Generation Cellular Adhesion Molecule
- Tysabri - infusion every four weeks
3rd Generation Monoclonal Antibodies
- Gilenya - capsule once a day
- Tecfidera - capsule twice a day
- Aubagio - capsule once a day
- Lemtrada - intravenous infusion daily for one week, first year
- Zimbrytra - intravenous infusion
MS Clinic Benefits for the Patient
- An organized, coordinated team approach to patient care consisting of physician, nurse practitioner, physical / occupational therapists and counselors.
- Pursuit of current FDA-approved treatments.
- Conemaugh-sanctioned clinical treatment trial participation.
- MS support group for personal interaction.
MS Support Group
Meets the second Monday of each month
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Conemaugh East Hills
Community Room, Suite 2400
1450 Scalp Avene, Johnstown, PA 15904
For more information, call (814) 269-5241.
Conemaugh Neuroscience and Pain Institute
Conemaugh East Hills Outpatient Center
1450 Scalp Avenue, Second Floor
Johnstown, PA 15904
Phone: (814) 269-5266