I didn't mean that socialized medicine would stop people from getting MRI's if there was a clinical suspicion of PML. I meant regular MRI's every 6 months like I get even though there is no suspicion--these might catch something earlier.

PML has a pretty rapid course. It starts affecting the brain before anyone usually notices what's happening. That's why you have to be vigilant to any changes. Confirming it on MRI means the damage has already started.

The doc asks the old man at every visit if I have had any changes in my thinking or odd behaviors and reminds him to watch for them too and not to wait, just call him, and not to argue with me over it......like I wouldn't believe I'm sick or something!

He's said it enough that I listen to my body closely. He also stresses that anything that looks or feels even mildly like a relapse is a reason to call. Those will be the first symptoms.

He's not big on MRIs unless they are necessary, and I've only had two since I started. Those were at yearly intervals to see what's happening in my flip top head. They were excellent.

I need to correct this statement. PML actually starts out slowly. It is under the radar for a long time if not detected before it reaches the brain. It is when it reaches the brain that it starts to do the rapid damage that gets noticed, leading to MRI and diagnosis.

This is a link to another board where a person with PML has posted:
http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/showthread.php?t=49456

This person's experience is VERY compelling and a good warning for all of us on Tysabri AND for people searching for diagnosis because their signs and symptoms don't fit the norm.

If you are on Tysabri, be vigilant. Changes in vision, thinking and behavior are signs that something is wrong. You may be in relapse, but relapse isn't seen very often in people on Tysabri and the protocol is RULE OUT PML first before treating relapses with steroids.

I wonder if perhaps it starts out slowly in some instances ... but can go a lot quicker if "induced" by certain meds ...?

Thanks for the clarification.

Cherie