Vic,

It sounds like they don't want to be infusing Tysabri. Or, maybe they have a novice (being kind here) for a business manager. They certainly aren't putting the patient first, that's for sure.

That's how it seems, doesn't it? You'd think that they'd be making a huge profit by offering this treatment too, since they appear to charge so much more than most other infusions centers do.

Strange.

Cherie

I discovered that the cost of the staff and their benefits was higher than the income the infusion center has been making via Tysabri infusions.

It sure sounds odd to me.

-Vic

Is that all they do there, Vic . . . just Tysabri infusions? If so, I suppose it might take several patients/payments to break even on the wages/benefits, office costs, etc. they are paying out.

I wonder why all the hospitals in the US didn't just start up these infusion centers, so they could utilize staff that are already on site, as required?

Cherie

The majority of their visitors are oncology patients. Maybe that is more profitable since it is more common.

-Vic

It's the same with my infusion center, Vic.
It is an oncology unit at the local hospital. They are starting to see a LOT more infusions with other drugs, but their primary mission was oncology with the occasional steroid infusions until about 3 years ago.

I'm just glad that they ARE moving towards doing more than oncology. It gives me a place that's local and not too highly priced to make me go elsewhere.

I have a few questions if someone can answer them.

How many have noticed a change in symptoms since taking Ty?

How about people that don't have veins like me is it much harder or do you qualify for lack of veins? Trust me they always have problems.

How many have had bad reactions and had to quit?

Does it make you feel sick afterward?

I am going to ask these questions when I go on the 26th this month as I am going for Tysabri then but was just wondering.

Hi Coletaterbug!

Boy, it's hard to answer that set of questions. We don't keep track here with over 700 posts to this thread, but if you have time, read through the thread and you will find answers.

For me, I have had a major change in my symptoms. I don't have any more except for spasticity and stiffness and even those are greatly reduced. I haven't had a relapse since I started!

I don't have an answer for your veins. I was a paramedic for many years and did a LOT of blood draws and IVs and I could always find a vein when I needed to and I needed to find them every time as it was always in an emergency situation, whether it was a blood draw or starting an IV. If you have problem veins, you should ask for a phlebotomist every time. Make sure you are drinking LOTS of fluids before infusion to help plump up your veins, dehydration doesn't help with veins that like to hide!

There have been a number of people who posted here that they have had reactions. Some have cleared up, some have not and those people have not continued with Tysabri. I haven't had any reactions except for a slight pinpoint itch in 20 infusions.

Feeling sick- I had nausea once. I hadn't eaten, worked a 10 hour overnight shift, got three hours of sleep and had my infusion. My nurses remind me to eat and drink before infusion. They give me crackers and peanut butter if I haven't had time and sometimes I even get lunch!

Let us know how it goes for you! We'll be waiting!

Had #9 about 2 weeks ago-was on still on meds due to infection. I will not make the winter on ty. Can't get well enough for a flu shot even. I'm scared- I go back and fourth on hopkins. But - over 45 days and no reply w/ins approval from them. Really scared over all. I will NOT live like this. I will NOT!!!!I am 100% on Hopkins one day then scared I will not make it w/hopkins the next. I'm going to have to push like Red did to get hopkins. I know I will not live the winter on ty. I never even leave my home due to infection and I still stay sick.

I go for #7 or #8 this week. I'm still having a bad bout of chills the first half hour after the infusion. Then I'm fine. The rest of the month is great.

My neuro appt. a few weeks ago said my bloodwork was perfect! So if all I get is the chills for 1/2 hour, I guess I'll keep taking the drug. Well, I have ended up with a nasty toenail fungus. I'm working on that. But it takes months to clear those things up!