Columns PPMS ‘Fabulous’ Ocrevus Lights the Way to a Brighter, Hopeful Future, MS Nurse Says ‘Fabulous’ Ocrevus Lights the Way to a Brighter, Hopeful Future, MS Nurse Says by admin | April 6, 2017 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Ocrevus is a “fabulous” drug that does wonders for those who respond to it. That’s the view of an MS nurse practitioner in Florida, with whom I spoke this week. Tricia Pagnotta works at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Greater Orlando, where she has been involved actively in clinical trials involving Genentech’s disease-modifying therapy Ocrevus. MS nurse practitioner Tricia Pagnotta. (Pic: GCI Health). “It is a fabulous drug. I have used it in numerous clinical trials and it does wonders for those who respond,” she told me. “We have never had a treatment for primary progressive MS (PPMS), but now we have. And I have seen it work with both PPMS and relapsing MS patients. “We now have hope where we haven’t seen hope in a long time,” she said. A member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN), Pagnotta has been nursing for 32 years and is keen to praise those family members and friends who take on the role of caregiver. “MS is a cruel disease that challenges people in ways we cannot imagine,” she said. “It affects family caregivers and support partners as much as those who have the illness, but in different ways.” Continuing to highlight the invaluable role that support partners play for people living with MS, she said, “It was the MS Walk yesterday, and the boost that family members gave was immense. I cannot thank them enough for the strength and support they provided,” Pagnotta said, referring to the annual event that took place April 2. She paid a special tribute to another drug company, Biogen, not only for its treatments, but also for its support of abovems.com, with its wealth of resources, and #mysupporthero, which allows MS patients to thank their caregivers publicly. “We had a fantastic response to #mysupporthero, as caregivers were thanked for building resilience and being cheerleaders for patients,” she said. How does Pagnotta see the way ahead for treating MS? She believes the future is brighter and full of hope. “There is real hope for everyone with MS, as every year we learn more. There are now 15 drugs, and remyelination is on the way. Ocrevus will help tremendously. … We hope to stop MS and I am confident that a cure will be found in my lifetime,” she added. *** [You are invited to visit my personal MS, Health & Disability website at 50shadesofsun.com]. Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page Tags clinical trials, hope, Ocrevus Comments Lorie Kalenchuk Hi! I was wondering if it in available in Saskatoon Sask. Reply Shirley I started taking low dose naltrexone for MS. two weeks ago. I'm wondering if I should stop because I'll be taking Ocrevus. Do they interfere with each other? Maybe I won't need naltrexone? Reply Gurpreet Gurnam Soni Ovrevus is available in india ? Reply Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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