Extension Data Show Dalfampridine (Amprya) Continues to be Beneficial in Multiple Sclerosis

(Posted By: Josi Creek)

New open-label extension numbers of dalfampridine extended release suggest the drug continues to improve walking speed in some patients with no new safety signals.

Presenting at the American Academy of Neurology 62nd Annual Meeting, Andrew Goodman, MD, from the University of Rochester, New York, reported improvements in some people for up to 2.5 years.

Acorda Therapeutics Announces Data on AMPYRA(TM) (dalfampridine) Presented at American Academy of Neurology Meeting

(Posted By: Josi Creek)

Responders to AMPYRA Treatment Showed Improvement in Average Walking Speed Compared to their Average Baseline for Up to 2.5 Years in Open-Label Studies

To read the full story, click HERE.

Dr. Ron Cohen, CEO and founder of Acorda Therapeutics, discusses his company's work on treatments for Multiple Sclerosis.

(Posted By: Josi Creek)

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Biogen Idec Strengthens Position as a Leader in Neurology with 38 Data Presentations at 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology

(Posted By: Josi Creek)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Apr 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced that 38 company-sponsored platform and poster presentations will be presented during the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 -- 17, 2010. The AAN Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of neurologists. These presentations include data on five compounds that are marketed or currently in development by Biogen Idec and its partners for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), including two approved therapies for MS, TYSABRI(R) (natalizumab) and AVONEX(R) (interferon beta-1a), and three promising compounds in the late stages of development: BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), PEGylated interferon beta-1a and daclizumab.

To read the entire story, click HERE.

Clinical Benefit of Multiple Sclerosis Drug Discovered

(Posted By: Josi Creek)

Drug approved by the FDA in January, now available in the U.S.

A drug whose clinical benefit in treating multiple sclerosis was discovered at Rush University Medical Center was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on January 22 and is now available in the U.S.

To read the full story, click HERE

"the neuro said he will start me on Ampyra, the walking drug-Im optimistic for that because if it works that would be AMAZING"

(Posted By: Josi Creek)
Hi Stan! When I went to the neuro last week..he also said he will start me on Ampyra, the walking drug when he gets the samples in (probably 4-6 months) I wanted to share this info with our Angels!

I am optimistic for that because if it works that would be AMAZING!!!!

He said that for people like me where the majority of the disease is in the spine it looks very promising.

He said if you just looked at my brain scan you would say I had a mild case of MS, my back is what is disabling me.

He said the ampyra seems to help the nerve conduction to the legs and makes walking less difficult.

He is trying to find a rep to get some samples for me so I can try it for a few weeks first because it will be expensive. He also said there is not a formulary yet but that should be coming to him in a few months.

He did say that the one drawback is that in some people it can cause seizures so that is something to be concerned about.

Anyway, hello and hugs to everyone. Hope it's a good spring for all!

♥ ginny

OUR NEWS EDITOR: JENNIFER LANDRY GAVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT ADVICE GINNY! Click here to go to our Facebook Page & read more comments & advice & our Facebook Friends left for Ginny!

( By Jennifer Landry)

ginny, do not wait for your neuro to get samples. i was involved in a recent webcast put on by the vp's at ampyra and they were very clear that they will NOT be providing samples to dr's. just don't want you waiting for something that's not going to happen. there is a comprehensive patient assistance program to help with the cost of the drug. go towww.ampyra.com and contact them for further info. you need to complete a form and your neuro needs to submit the prescription and they take it from there to determine what your insurance will cover. good luck to you! (((((hugs)))))

Ampyra (the new walking pill) - Acorda Therapeutics Webcast

( Posted by Jennifer Landry)

Acorda Therapeutics, the company that developed and is now marketing AMPYRA (dalfampridine) in the U.S., is hosting a webcast for MS bloggers on Wednesday, March 17 and our own Jennifer Landry has been invited to attend. Acorda’s senior leadership team, including their CEO Ron Cohen (above), are providing an overview of AMPYRA, including the clinical trial data and information on pricing and insurance. Most importantly, they are also taking questions from the attendees.

MS News Channel will be posting updates following the webcast, so stay tuned.

(VIDEO) FDA Approves Ampyra to Improve Walking in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

"Today is a week since I started ampyra- I can tell a difference with it. With my walking, I don't drag as much"

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE & READ COMMENTS & (((HUGS)) OUR Facebook FRIENDS LEFT FOR BERLENA!

AND

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Hi Stan,
Today is a week since I started ampyra. The first couple of days of taking it, I definitely didn't feel well. I was dizzy and didn't feel like doing anything.

I am feeling better, and I can tell a difference with it. With my walking, I don't drag as much and I'm hoping that as time goes by it will get better.

I called my doctor and spoke with her nurse, and she said that she had received calls from some clients who complained about numbness in their mouth. So far that hasn't happened with me.

I went to an MS Seminar last Saturday, and I was surprised at the number of people who hadn't heard of ampyra and at the number of people who had heard about it, but didn't know the procedure to get it. I was the only one in attendance who had started it.

Ampyra Special Report #1: Cost & Process for getting the drug

(Posted by Jennifer)

JENNIFER, ONE OF OUR NEWS EDITORS ON www.MSnewsChannel.com WAS INVITED TO A SPECIAL PRIVATE WEBCAST ON AMPYRA! I POSTED INFO ON THIS WEBCAST YESTERDAY:

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ORIGINAL STORY, ALONG WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT AMPYRA

HERE'S JENNIFER'S 1ST REPORT:

Special Report #1: Ampyra Cost & Process for getting the drug

Hi All, I learned so much about Ampyra and can't wait to share it all with you. The most important and timely information I thought you would appreciate is the cost of Ampyra and the process by which you can obtain the drug. If you are on the fence about trying it, stay tuned, I have lots of answers to questions you may have. If you have already decided it's something you want to try, I'll tell you how.

The cost of the drug is $1,056 for 60 pills, a 1 month supply. This cost incorporates many factors, the cost of development, trials and a 20 year journey to get it to market; the perceived value of what it offers to the ms community; and a portion of the design and manufacture of future drugs/trials for ms patients. All of these correlate to what Acorda feels is a fair cost to consumers.

That being said, Acorda is committed to making Ampyra available to every patient that wants to take it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL STORY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

"they are processing my prescription for Ampyra, the 'walking pill'-Im excited-Its $1000 per month & covered by my insurance"

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE & READ COMMENTS & (((HUGS)) OUR Facebook FRIENDS LEFT FOR BERLENA!

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[Berlena Spencer-Staton]
Stan, I mentioned before about the "walking pill". As you know it's been approved by FDA, and I did the form and my nuero faxed it to the company. I was given a prescription to have blood work done to check my kidney function, but luckily I had just had blood work done, and checking was kidney function was one of the test, and it was normal. Tel Drugs just called and they are processing my prescription and I should hear from them about delivery in a few days. I'm excited, and really hopes it helps because I'm going on vacation next month. I'll keep you posted.

[Stan Swartz]
Is your insurance covering it? tell me more about it all!

[Berlena Spencer-Staton]
It is $1000 per month and it is covered by my insurance. As soon as it was approved, I received an e-mail from my doctor, I had to go to www.ampyra.com and print and fill out a form and fax it to her. She in turn sent it to the company, and I don't know the procedure the company itself does to approve it, but they contacted my doctor and Cigna Tel Drug and my doctor approved a 3 month supply at $18 per prescription,which is my co-pay. Here's the link Stan:

www.ampyra.com

"please ask the Angels to tell me everything they know about Ampyra-the new drug for walking that was just approved by the FDA"

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE & READ COMMENTS & (((HUGS)) OUR Facebook FRIENDS LEFT FOR KARIN!


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I want to take Ampyra and I was wondering if you could give me some info on it Stan. And would you please ask the Angels to tell me everything they know about Ampyra! It is the new MS drug for walking that was just approved by the FDA

I asked my Neuro and he didnt know anything! All he said to me was that he didnt think insurance would cover it and that it was $1000 per month so he wasnt too interested in it because none of his patients could afford it.

But I read the post you made earlier from one of the Angels who said that her insurance is going to pay for her Ampyra! SO I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY MY NEURO SAID THAT! I love my neuro Stan!!

Love & xoxoxo

Karin

"I'm going to do oral drug called amypra for walking in a few weeks...hopefully will see maybe a little improvement""

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE & READ COMMENTS & (((HUGS)) OUR Facebook FRIENDS LEFT FOR CHRIS!

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hi stan, how are you?

Tysabri is a good idea..have been on the shots and all they did was make me worse..

the rebif messed up my hands real bad.:( my neuro said i have PPMS..im starting to feel it is headed towards PRMS..the worst kind..all i do is relapse!

never had a remission at all.

goin to talk to my neuro next month about Tysabri..my disease progression is bad..mri is showing that..

also I'm still going to do that oral drug called amypra for walking in a few weeks..hopefully will see maybe a little improvement..it for sure is only a symptom treatment..

i love your page on here and on myspace..:) lots of loving and caring angels you have..:) wonderful sites..:)

wishing you the absolute best always!

chris