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Originally Posted by lady_express_44
Hi Natalie,
Firstly, if there wasn’t this controversy about Tysabri, I suspect most everyone with insurance (including probably myself) might try it. It is at least as effective as our other options, it is much more convenient, and there are less general side-effects. However, it is the fact that it is still considered too dangerous for some people’s/doctor’s liking that it hasn’t already stolen most of the entire market. That is also why there is constant conversation about it . . . there are still many people & medical professions who are on pins and needles about how safe it is, and may “appear” to be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Cherie
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Cherie,
If you really knew about Tysabri, you would know that it is twice as effective as our other choices. The unknown is the long term safety of using the drug (I'm at two years as of Monday, 22 Dec no problems to report) regarding PML and other opportunistic infections. The other unknown is the outcome of PML. It was assummed that the outcome would be death or severe disability. 3 of the 4 PML cases since relaunch of the drug under monitoring have resolutions. 1 of the 3 patients has died - cause of death is unknown but PML or IRIS from PML treatment is suspected. The other 2 patients are out of PML danger. One only had minor weakness.
While it is always good to have a balanced discussion, your assessment of risk/reward comes from your individual situation of MS risk in using a less efficacious MS treatment.
Chris