Hi all,

My kids had colds this week, which means that I got their colds. The interesting thing about this is that I got much sicker than they did. I've been double dog sick the last three days with congestion, coughing, sore chest. I don't usually get and stay sick this way.

I wonder if the tysabri is somehow compromising my imune system. Or if running full tilt with two sick kids in tow is compromising my imune system. Or if I was just the lucky winner of the really ugly virus jackpot.

Hmmm.

I am feeling better today.

Katty

Ahhh Katty, I'm so sorry you've been feeling under the weather. Don't you find that kid's germs are more potent than adults? Seems like when my kids were little and in school, whatever illnesses they brought home went right through the family. Hope you're up and about and feeling much better soon. Rest up as much as you can!

Tysabri DOES compromise certain parts of your immune system. It prevents certain immune cells from crossing the blood/brain barrier and going after the inflamed myelin.

During the trials, it was noted that some of the patients suffered higher levels of infections. Whether the Tysabri had anything to do with you suffering longer with the virus you caught from your kids is another question.

I would note the information and advise your doctor. Then there will be a record of it for future analysis.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Harry

Thank you Judy and Harry, for the sympathy and encouragement. I will mention the cold to my doctor, but over all am going to withold judgement for a while. I am feeling better and back at full tilt, (just a little slower full tilt.) Tomorrow is my second injection. I'll report back.

I brought my laptop and a couple of episods of House MD to my second infusion. I thought it appropriate to get treatment for MS while watching House cure everyone and their poodle--after he almost kills them.

The infusion went fine. No problems. I had a couple of rough days where I was tired and one day of depression, which mirrors my first infusion experience. Today I was able to wake up at 6:30 with less of the morning drags, and I felt reasonably cheerful all day.

I have more energy.

I am over my cold, but still have a cough, so inspite of its ferocity, it was within the acceptable, two week parameter for a cold. I'll let you know if anything else happens that leads me to believe my immune system is supressed.

Katty

I had my third infusion today. The gals at the oncology center had to stick me three times before they got a line to work. Other than that, there were no problems. I'm not spending the afternoon and evening sleeping, so I guess my body's adapting.

I've had some unsual facial pains this month. My left eye hurt and I have occasional sharp pains in my left ear, pain between my eyebrows and occasional dizziness. The doctor says I may have a blocked eustation tube--go figure, you mean it's possible to have something wrong that isn't related to MS?

I'm not running marathons but I am doing pretty well. Better than before I started Tysabri. If you were to meet me, you'd never know there was anything wrong.

Katty

yay, Katty...I hope it stays that way.

Katty
Good news, thanks for sharing with us. Enjoy the positives!

Thanks. I played Monopoly with my girls tonight instead of crashing on the couch! This is a good day!

Katty

Hi,

It's been a while since I last posted. I'm doing very well. Cognitively and physically improving. Energy level is pretty good.

I had a shock the other day. I received the first of the cost breakdowns that my insurance company gets from the hospital. For each treatment of Tysabri, the hospital is charging $13,000. yes, that's thirteen with three big o's on the end. That's almost $160,000 dollars a year yor me to get the treatment.

Thought you might need to know this. Im still gasping and coughing. Yes my insurance company is paying for it, but if I ever lose my insurance I'm going to be in huge trouble--even more so because of the potential for disease rebound on this drug. With MS you never know when you might not be able to work anymore--leading to loss of insurance--eading to loss of treatment--leading to loss of all gains and a three to five times rebound in the disease.

this cost factor is big. Check with your infusion provider before starting the drug. There is only one in my county.

Katty