I don't know what to do! (still being new to this whole MS thing).

I had my 6th Tysabri infusion a week ago on Monday, Dec. 1. I have had a low grade fever since then, roughly around 99.6. My usual temp. is 98-98.2. This makes me feel cruddy. The MS clinic had me do some blood tests and a urine sample last Fri. morning but I still haven't heard anything from them about the results (they are so bad at getting back to you). For the past few days I've been having pressure and aching in my chest, or maybe tightness??--when I breathe my upper chest just feels extremely irritated. Today is the the worst of it. I've also been bruising more easily the past month (which I was going to tell the doc. at my 6th month check up next week).

I think being on the Tysabri is making me nervous about infections and other weird stuff. Should I take myself to the E.R. tonight? Or should I try to do something tomorrow? The MS clinic is so large and understaffed they won't get me in before my already scheduled appointment on the 15th. I could call my regular family doc. but what if I can't get in to her tomorrow?

Am I just being paranoid and I should wait?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Natalie, if you feel strongly about it to post, then you should go, if only for peace of mind. Tysabri is nothing you want to mess around with.

Now, GIT!!!

Then tell us what they said, okay?

I think if you're anxious enough that you're even considering it, then, maybe you should go to the ER and get checked out.

If you still dont think you want to go to the ER yet, call your doctor tonight, I know you'll probably get his answering service, but if you can get him to call you back, then you can at least talk to him and see what he thinks you should do.


Tell him about the bruising that you were going to mention to him next week. Maybe you're anemic or something?

I agree with the other two. Generally, if you're debating sometimes it's a good idea to go and get checked.

I agree, if your nervous and in pain you should be seen. If you don't want to do the ER how about an urgent care facility if one is near you?

Natalie - If you feel you need to get checked out than I would go without any hesitation. If you are hesitant, you can either call your PCP or neuro and/or the ER and talk with them about it. More than likely if you call the ER, the staff will tell you to come in and get checked especially with the chest pains and difficulty with breathing as it would be difficult to fully assess you on the phone.

Please take care and let us know how you are doing.

I would go, the bruising worries me.

Because of the discomfort in your chest... I would go. Keep us posted! It could be your heart.

Natalie
Check in and let us know what you ended up doing...

Hi all! Thanks so much for the good advice. I decided to go to the Urgent Care place a mile down the road from my house. They were fantastic. I saw the owner (former E.R. doc.) and he was very knowledgeable. Also they were so efficient. My lungs are clear, no obvious infection in my body (WBC in normal range). I do have mild anemia though...that came up a few months ago too. Bruising can be problems with platelets but mine were in normal range. Anyhow, I have peace of mind it's nothing serious right now. He thinks it's probably some low level viral crud. The lung issues could also be allergies since it was 73 today and apparently I live in one of the #1 places for allergies in the US. I never had allergies until I moved here 4 years ago.
Thanks again!