You mean my 'blushing bride'? (First wedding anniversary is Valentine's Day !)

Thanks for the feedback - you provided the answer to my question.

LL (Love of my Life) never displayed any 'side effects' after one year on Betaserone - but blood tests last year indicated that her body had developed neutralizing antibodies to Interferon. Betaserone wasn't slowing progression of the disease because of her antibodies to Interferon and that's why her neurologist recommended that she switch to Copaxone or Tysabri. He encouraged Tysabri because of clinical evidence indicating that Tysabri was more effective than Copaxone in moderating/controlling progression - despite the risks.

My new bride is doing well with Tysabri. She has minor side effects such as "flushing cheeks" and "severe fatigue" on the day of infusion - but she seems to (otherwise) tolerate the treatment well. She doesn't seem to recognize any significant difference since starting the treatment, but I see some improvement in her energy level. Time will tell.

We appreciate the feedback from all of you in this group. We learn more from groups like this one and from other groups than we do from all the medical journals and the doctors. Your personal experiences are helpful to us.

Health Talk (dot) com has another MS/Tysabri group that is helpful.

Until we find a cure, we hope that therapies like Tysabri will help us "stay the course."

Thanks again.
JJ

I was in the origiinal Antegren trials years ago. I have been off Tysabri for a while. I just went today to fill out all of my paperwork at the MS Centre and am going for my MRI this week. How long after you filled out the paperwork did it take you to get your first infusion?

The nurse didn't think it was going to take longer than 2 weeks before all of my paperwork would be in order. I was just wondering how long it took most of you and your insurance companies to approve it?

Thanks!

I was approved in 2 days and I belong to a HMO. I think that must be some kind of record. I thought it would take a couple of weeks.

Hi Chris!

It took me a bit longer than two weeks. When I went for my MRI pre-Ty, it wasn't good and the neuro insisted that I do a course of steroids ( stupid MRI). Then I was approved but they hadn't yet trained the infusion center at the hospital. Then they had to look into who was paying what for me, cause I didn't want to get hit with the post infusion shock of a huge bill! I HAD to know how much I would have to pay, if anything.

All in all I think it took a month before i got the first dose. I hear things are a lot quicker now.

Good Luck! Let us know when you start!!

My first infusion is rescheduled for Thursday!

Chris,

My last Avonex shot was 11-19 and I was approved last week. My insurance blamed the delay on my Neuro, my Neuro blamed it on the insurance co. yada yada yada.

I think it was a little of all and also being the holidays. The infusion nurse said it shouldn't have taken so long.

Chris was off Avonex for 6 weeks before starting Tysabri so he went straight downhill being off all meds for so long.

Went for infusion #3 yesterday - no side effects.

Maybe a very slight improvement in energy but at least not worse. Still praying for continued improvement and certainly no progression.

Dedra,

Been following you and Chris for quite a awhile now. Happy he is seeing some improvement with energy! Praying for more improvement! And no side-effects!

Keep the faith!

Had my 3rd infusion today. All went well; no allergic reaction this time. I guess the benadryl worked. I am feeling a little tired.

Barb, I am SO glad to hear that things went well for you today!!
I was thinking about you!

I am always tired after my infusion. I can't compare it to pre-infusion, because I am always tired when I go for mine, due to working the night before! ( i am always always tired!)

Here's hoping as time goes by that things continue to look up!!

Dedra, I am happy that things are going good for Chris with his infusions. Please tell him we are rooting for him! Any improvement is better than none! I know that the increase in energy was my most favorite "side effect"