Update on the foot infection and Tysabri! This Friday I will have been on IV antibiotics for 3 weeks. This Friday will be 9 weeks since my last Tysabri infusion. Most likely I have to be on IV antibiotics for another 3 weeks. I was so certain I was a done deal with Tysabri because you just can't take the drug when you have an infection. After waiting anxiously for 36 hours from my neurologist, he and my infectious disease doctor came up with a plan.

If I stay on antibiotics for 3 more weeks that would put me at the 12 week mark for no Tysabri (very bad because of possible rebound effect). The solution is to get 1 large dose of IV steroids (500 mg) ASAP. The neurologist said that not only would this buy me 4 more weeks but the wound is far enough healed that the steroids wouldn't affect the larger healing process (can't remember the details why since he called when I was in a dead sleep). What this means is after the antibiotics are done in 3 weeks I would immediately get a Tysabri infusion the next day. Then I would be back on the regular Tysabri track.

Hallelujah!!!!!!!! I don't have to give up Tysabri!!! If for some reason the infection comes back (small chance) I would just transition to BG-12 which is about to get FDA approval and is not an immunosuppressant. [big sigh of relief....finally some good luck!]

PS: I haven't had the 'roids in 5 years. I'm not sure I can even remember what the side effects are except for manic energy and lots of weeping.