I had the reg flu shot last yr as did my kid. We did not have the H1N1. ( my choice) Then I was told the reg flu shot must be 15 days or more before TY. As usual no recommend either way.
I did not call the neuro this year - I've had mine as has my kid last week. So far so good. :hug

Yesterday I had my 49th infusion !
October will be the beginning of my 5th year. Since I now go 5 weeks and am considering six the #s do not compute with the years, nor will they.
I am very thankful for the life Ty has given me Fampridine (Ampyra) may play a role-I don't want to give either up!
Linda

Infusion # 44 down, still no problems, no concerns.
I've finally started seeing a medical doctor as well as my neuro. I always get the yearly female stuff checked but have neglected to find a doctor since my favorite NP moved downeast more than a few miles and I figured I better get with the geriatric tests now before they overwhelm me later in life.

Guess what the first one is?


Ahem...have you had a colonoscopy yet?

Of course the doctor had his published on the front page of the local paper, so he's not going to let me get away without one now,is he?
Other than that he is wasting an hour every three months peering at past bloodwork and hemming and hawing over my one point below normal iron and my 101 blood sugar result (without fasting)
I don't like it. I want it all over at once and I'll call when I am sick, I PROMISE! It's a waste of my time and both the insurance company's and my money.

Am I the only one who feels this way? I understand the every three month neuro appt. because of Tysabri but I see no need to lose an hour to a review of past test results and the "how are you feeling" routine every three months! Am I just a throwback to a generation that didn't go whimpering to the doctor all the time or have things changed so much that it's a given that you go even when nothing's wrong?

Riverwild, I agree with you completely. My doctor would like me to have a colonoscopy but so far I've successfully resisted and will continue resisting until I have reasons to think I have something wrong with my colon that a colonoscopy would help to analyze.

I looked up the risk factors for colorectal cancer. There are about a half dozen of them, and I have not one. No relatives of mine have ever had colorectal cancer. I'm not counting a half-brother who had it.

I sometimes think that some tests doctors put people through are done mainly so that the doctors can protect themselves from lawsuits.

There is a questionnaire where you can find out your risk of colon cancer here:

http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu...art&quiz=colon

Mine came out "much below average." I'm going to point this out if a doctor suggests a colonoscopy again.

Don't get me wrong folks. I truly would call him if something wasn't right or if I have a question about anything.

I don't even mind having my booster shots and flu shot and all that stuff once a year when it's due. I get all the female stuff done on the same day every year. I even schedule my MRI on the same day if at all possible so I only have to take ONE day out of my life for the tests and maybe another for the followup if anything needs attention, but it's the every three months when nothing is wrong with me that's driving me nuts!

I am going to bring this up with him when I see him next. I am sure he will listen to me since he's already had a good dose of me for the past few appointments. I told him a year ago that I would see him New Year's Eve this year, but it's been every freaking three months since then. I want a list of everything he thinks I need and I want it scheduled ONCE-all at the same time- and then get out of my face until next year unless something comes up.

(i'm getting more feisty as I age or as I feel better or something!)

RW, I see my primary care physician once a year for a check-up and blood draw....I think he tests for everything because the vampires always take a lot of blood...LOL He prescribes the meds I'm going to need for the year and tells me to come back if I have a problem. The nurse calls me if there is anything in the blood workup that the dr wants to talk about with me. Otherwise I only see him when I need him.

hugs,
Shayna

Calling Biogen and complaining last month has not helped in anyway. I've been waiting. The Team Leader I spoke to said the problem was that the packet my neuro filled out initially did not include the confidentiality clause. That was rectified and my neuro would receive the lab kits in approx a month and begin testing. I saw my neuro yesterday and she still has not received the kits.

I hate Biogen but love Ty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm calling Biogen later this morning and complaining again. My neuro and I discussed what to do if I don't get tested because Biogen is dragging their feet. She said I can take a holiday from Ty if I want to but she doesn't recommend it because I'm doing so well. She also does not recommend that I try anything else...especially the oral meds which are new. I'm doing too well on Ty and she would prefer a holiday for 3-6 months.

Infusion #38 tomorrow. It really feels like I'm playing Russian Roulette. It wasn't this stressful when there wasn't a test out there to check the chances of PML. My neuro said we would discuss what to do if I test positive...if I ever receive the blood draw. Has anyone's neuro suggested that he/she stay on Ty even with a positive PML/JCV blood test????? I've only heard about those who have received a negative on their blood draw. If I'm correct the test tells whether or not one is more susceptible to PML.

I'm trying to stay calm and take it one day at a time. If I ever get tested and the test is positive I'll try to make an informed decision then. Hopefully, my neuro will have some info for me.

I'll let you know if I get anywhere with Biogen. I'm sorry I haven't been checking in regularly but, I'm really trying not to think about PML.

Oh...one other thing to mention. I told my neuro yesterday that the longer I'm on Ty the more fatigued I am. We don't know if it's due to the Ty or the fact that I can exercise more and for longer periods of time the longer I'm on Ty. If it weren't for caffeine or Provigil I don't think I could stay awake for more than a few hours...LOL There are days when it feels like the only things I am able to do are exercise, run an errand or two and sleep. I'm too tired to even see friends. When I go to visit my grandchildren for a week or so I don't exercise at all. I still need a nap during the day but I feel that playing with them is all the exercise I can handle...LOL

hugs to all....I hope everyone has a wonderful day,
Shayna

I had the regular flu shot last year but not the H1N1. My neuro did not recommend the H1N1 last year. This year I went ahead and had the flu shot...which apparently includes the H1N1. I can't take a chance of catching the flu from my grandchildren so I went ahead and took the flu shot since there wasn't a choice this year. It was one shot or nothing at all