4 new lesions. hopefully from before the tysabri was started. i am attaching the report, if anyone can help decipher it i'm interested in what you could tell me


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this just in: since the 2nd infusion i have turned into an idiot. not sure whta is going on but my short term memory is toast and this is very frustrating and depressing.

if not for having my parents rely on me i would probably just go out in the desert, sort of like eskimo elders going out on an ice flo

Hi clarkstar,
Did you discuss these findings with your Neurologist or the Doctor doing the infusions? Perhaps they are linked in some way. Did your short-term memory be noticed by you real quickly, or was it happening over time?

I would discuss this with both of these doctors to see what they think is the cause. Find out if it is Ty related of not. Good luck to you. I hope it is only a temporary setback from some meds.

the neuro doc pretty much sidestepped the issue. he did say that one of the new lesions could cause some personality changes

Doctors don't really have answers all the time. I've heard it said of lesions and MRIs, "location, location, location." Yes,kind of like real estate. You, nor doctor knows what will happen next. MS keeps all it's tricks up it's sleeve.

the frustrating part is not knowing when these new lesions occurred. i'd guess in mid feb after i noticed my balance get worse and i started to have a really bad memory

When was the last MRI? You said 6 month MRI. They see 4 new lesions so they must have compared it to the last one. Was the last one, or this one, part of the protocol for Tysabri?

Maybe you can figure a time line that way. Better yet ask the Neuro. They can tell how old the lesions are and look up your records to see when you didn't have them.

Some lesions are so tiny they don't show until they get large enough to be seen on MRI, yet they were there all the time, for years unseen.

I think an MRI can change daily, if done each day. People take up the contrast dye different each time too. Also, maybe they waited longer after the injection of dye to take the sequence pictures. So many variables.

They have doctors that can work with memory issues, retrain, show tips and practice help, to improve memory. Ask the Doctor to see one of these specialists. Don't get discouraged, there is always help. Good luck

i was actually 8 months, but was supposed to be done 2 months ago. i had a set in aug 2010 that started the whole diagnosis. but ive never had an in depth study of the mri's. my tysabri doc, who ordered these last set, said he didn't know when they occurred but hopefully before tysabri. i think not though. i was much better than i had been early on, before i even started tysabri. and i did notice a change in february after my 2nd infusion and my personality has changed dramatically. i am on xanax because i get highly agitated for no real reason and i feel liek an idiot as well. i need to seek help for the anxiety and depression which has also worsened considerably...

this place helps a lot, just typing it out and getting some sort of response is soothing

Hi clarkstar, I can only tell you my experience and what I've learned.
I had an MRI right before starting Tysabri and then one 7 months later, after 7 Infusions. It was supposed to be 6 but, my doctor forgot

I showed no new or active lesions. At approx my 4th infusion I started noticing better balance, better stamina and less fatigue. My understanding of how Tysabri works is that by stopping the T cells from crossing the blood brain barrier it gives the body a chance to heal itself. I don't remember at what point I started walking with 1 cane instead of 2.

I have gotten an MRI every 6 months and they have shown no new or active lesions and as time has gone on many of the old lesions have gotten smaller and some are gone April I will get my 54th infusion-I have been on Ty, at that time, for 4 years 7 months !! I cut back at 3 yrs to every 5 weeks and a few month ago to every 6 wks.

I wish you well and hope Tysabri will be your success story.

Linda

now i'm no dr and don't pretend to be 1. but, i sounds like these lesions are NOT active. that's a good thing.

i'd keep a journal with dates and sx's (symptoms) and how you feel. please stay in close touch with your T dr. let him know about these new sx's. that includes psychological and behavioral.

i too wish you the best on this journey.
let us know how you are.