1. It will still be a few years before these medications are ready for prime time.
2. All of these newer medicine carry more risks and potential side effects than the medicines we are using nowadays. Now this may be worth it, if a medicine is a lot stronger, or a lot more convenient, or you can't tolerate the older medicines. This is why it is so important to work closely with your neurologist, in order to direct your own care.

Remember, the Multiple Sclerosis Team Approach Tule (M*STAR) places the patient at the center of the MS team. Once you are firmly directing your own team, it is important to reach out to help other through the Multiple Sclerosis Patient Network (M*S*P*N): mstar.mspan@gmail.com

So, with these more risky medications, how is MS care going to look in the future?

We need to work towards individualized treatment, and this is going to come with genomics and proteinomics - basically seeing how individuals respond to therapy. First, however we need to collect this genetic data. A great way to do that is if you are:

• African American

or

• Caucasian American with both parents alive

Then there is a blood study (this is not an experimental treatment trial) that you could be a part of to help the global knowledge base. If you are interested, call Yasmeen at (904)244-9814.