LWW Journals Spotlight on MS... MUST READ ABSTRACT

[orion98665]

Hi all, Just got the abstract in my email today!!!

Thanks,

Bob


http://journals.lww.com/theneurologist/ ... sis.5.aspx

[cheerleader]

Well, whaddya know. Slowly, but surely--the heart brain connection is being considered by neurologists. Better late, than never. Thanks for the link, Bob. Have shared on FB. The following quote is disturbing.

The clinical presentation and pathophysiology of cardiovascular dysfunction in MS are reviewed, as are the cardiovascular toxicities of MS therapies, fingolimod and mitoxantrone.

I was writing about the ramifications of drugs w/cardiovascular risks used to treat MS, like Gilenya (fingolimod), back in 2013.

Here's where it gets interesting and somewhat disconcerting. Novartis knew that there were serious side-effects with this drug, including changes in heart rate, liver toxicity, macular edema, and increased rates of infection--these side effects are discussed in their initial report to the FDA. They admit that this drug has serious implications for the "cardiac, ocular, infectious, hepatic and pulmonary systems." They prepared their own "prescriber advisory letter" and "prescriber package insert."

The FDA knew about these risks, but did not give any warnings to patients until a watchdog group became vocal about the number of side effects being reported.

Here is a strategy report given to the FDA on how to handle this Gilenya situation. It is called the "Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy" and is a confidential paper, somehow made public on the FDA site.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/drug ... 227965.pdf

http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2013/10/t ... rosis.html

[1eye]

This should alert neurologists to the dangers of using mitoxantrone, a proven cardiotoxic substance, to treat MS. I believe it was also found that cardio events, including death, followed use of mitoxantrone, delayed by up to five years. Has anyone done a follow-up study to examine the death rate, causes of death, etc. for MS patients treated with mitoxantrone?

[Cece]

They're talking about how MS impacts the cardiovascular system. Of course it impacts it. The brain controls everything in the body. Damage to the brain impacts the autonomic nervous system. They're not looking at it the other way, that damage or blockages in the cardiovascular system impacts the brain.

Good lord, MS drugs with their toxic side effects. Can't win either way. Reading about avuncular necrosis (crippling hip/shoulder pain caused by steroids given for MS) gives me nightmares.