Thanks RW. ... but they normally start there. For some reason I only have one good vein... which is in the elbow on the right side and they have stuck it so many times it is forming scar tissue around it. They normally blow the two in the forearm, followed by popping the top of both hands before I insist they just use the elbow.

Sorry Natalie, No Chocolate... a type of biscotti :p

Wow, Grammie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so sleepy after an infusion that I can hardly keep my eyes open....LOL Congrats on #41. I have #28 coming up in 10 days. That will make it 5 weeks since my last infusion. After this one I'm going to try and go for 6 weeks between infusions.

I just arrived home from spending 15 days with the grandchildren and I need to rest. I've noticed that every time I get back to Nevada from spending time in California with my family that my m.s. seems a bit worse for a few days....I'm shaky and weak :) But, after I rest for a few days I'm back to normal...as normal as I ever get :) I try to rest while I'm in California but with 5 grandchildren and my "need" to spend quality time with each of them I must not get as much rest as I think I do.

Good luck, Leggz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate it when they try to insert the needle in my hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only vein that really works well is inside my elbow on the left side. It doesn't hurt as much and it always works the first time!!!!!!!! After using my hands on a hit and miss basis for 20+ infusions they finally began to use the inside of my elbow. It was a different infusion nurse who tried it. When the others tried the inside of my elbow they always got too much blood backing up into the tubes :( I'm going to a different infusion center....the same drs but different nurses and lab assistants.

Hi Karen,

I'm so sorry I didn't have a chance to reply to you sooner but I've been off-line for several weeks. I'm actually healthier now than I was prior to my infusions. Even when I catch a cold or get an infection they don't last as long as they did prior to Ty. My sinus infections used to last 8-9 months...it delayed my being able to begin Ty. Now they clear up in 10-21 days :)

One hour, 2 nurses, 4 sticks, and 3 blown veins later.... They finally ended up in the of the hand. But, the good news is that it is over with and I can go take a nap now.

PS-> anyone else have weird food cravings from the MS stuff? Every time I did the Avonex injection I craved one of those big fat burgers from 5 guys.

Today was Ty #2... and the second time I left the hospital in a mad hunt for the nearest taco bell... it's just weird.

In honor of the holidays and finally completing the infusion,

4 IV sticks, 3 blown veins, 2 frustrated nurses, and a taco in a pear tree.

Have a Happy New Year!

I was lucky. Fourth TY infusion yesterday and blood draw the day before, each in the elbow area and on each side with no problems.

I was doing really good. My balance is still very good, although my legs get weak if I try to walk too far. My tremors were nearly gone, but came back at the end of the third week, as did my arm weakness.

There were three of us getting Tysabri and one friend of one of the other women there yesterday. We got to talking about bras and how they feel too constricting. With the cold weather and layered clothing, I don't wear a bra. That got us to talking about how men adjust themselves and some try to do it without anyone noticing. That moved on to which side they prefer. I said that I've been married for 21 years and couldn't for the life of me say which side my husband keeps his on.

Meanwhile, one of the women said she never heard about that problem. Then, the nurse was saying, "I can't believe how the conversation has deteriorated", but she was also laughing.

I said thanks. I really, really needed a good laugh.

Anyway, you had to have been there to get the full appreciation of how funny it was. The friend I mentioned just happened to be a guy, and he was going along with it and laughing like crazy.

I got to see and hug my neurologist for the last time, as yesterday was his last day there.

I had talked to a friend and got the name of her neurologist (who isn't taking on any more MS patients) and his partner (who is), as all of the patients of the neuro who is leaving got a form letter saying that the two remaining neuros could not absorb his patients and that you were on your own finding a new one--which of course made me feel like they were shoving us out the door after all these years.

So, I made myself an appointment in March to see this new neuro. Then, yesterday I got a letter stating that I am scheduled to see a partner in my old neuro's practice. I took the letter in with me yesterday and it was explained to me that the two neuros had decided to split up the people who have been going to my old neuro for years and who are on Tysabri at their infusion center.

Luckily, I have time to decide what to do.

Okay, I'm done rambling. I hop you enjoyed my story and that I didn't offend anyone.

I wish for you all a wonderful new year filled with happiness, peace, and lots and lots of love.


http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...y-new-year.jpg

Happy New Year azoyies (and everyone :))
Thanks for the laugh :p
Glad #4 went well :D
Linda

# 34 down!
No problems, no concerns, as usual.
I'm tired but I've been up since 7:00 a.m. after only about 5 hours of sleep!

Happy New Year everyone!