Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...

Hi again, I guess I must be feeling better, as I'm not hanging around on the 'Net, blogging as much as I used to. Even tho I'm housebound much of the time, I find so much to do & I'm extra-slow at it, because I have this handicap called MS. Just went for my 35th Tysabri treatment last week. I got nervous about staying on it for so long, so I went for a consult with a doctor who I consider to be a "Tysabri expert" (Dr. G. in the Phoenix area). He is on some Tysabri committe that meets regularly (drug-maker Biogen). He assured me that I don't have to worry about getting the fatal condition PML, as I have 1 in 6,000 chances of getting it. There is a risk of getting some deadly from Novantrone use (1 in 500), so he has taking ALL of his MS patient off of it. There are roughly 18,000 MS-ers who've been on Tysabri for 2 years, he has 42 MS patients on Tysabri right now. The average time for getting PML is when you've been on Tysabri for 11 - 17 months. So I feel better now about staying on Tysabri. I've tried all the other "popular" MS drugs except Copaxone. I even had 2 treatments of Novantrone in 2005. My heart's "MUGA" was not good after those 2 treatments, so that was enough for me. I've got a scooter to zip around the house in (yes, it's that big). I was feeling lots better in Feb. & "scooted" around too fast. This caused me to catch door frames with my back tires, jam to a halt, & fall over on the floor, still in the sitting position. This is a funny mental image, but I did this not once, but 3 times before I got the hint to "cool my jets". The falls caused no bruises, no broken bones, no blood clots. But a month later, I'm getting a "zinging" like lightning up & down the outside of my left leg (the first fall) whenever I put weight on that leg. My neurologist said yesterday that it sounds like a nerve problem, so in I go for an MRI. I've had many MRI's & I'm curious as to what it will show & what the treatment will be. The ER tried a splint on my leg, but I couldn't stand it for more than 12 hours & took it off. I'm trying the R(Rest) I(Ice) C(Compression) and E(Elevation) treatment, except not the C(Compression). It's helped. Bye for now.

A New Year, Lots of possibilities

Happy New Year to All-! Hope everyone is hanging in there--these days are so "down" because of our "troubled enconomy". I am sending out "good vibes" and wishes for the best in 2009. I have been "out of blogging" as my real life has twists & turns of its own. I continue to try different therapies for my old lower back injury, as I continue my Tysabri therapy for my MS. I will be getting my 32nd infusion of Tysabri this Wed. I haven't been having Big Surprises, but when I hear or read about all the different & awful things that MS people put up with, I am Happy about where I am Now. Take it one day at a time & keep hoping.

It's Turkey Day

Here's hoping that everyone has an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I'm doing So-So with the MS Monster & will have a nice dinner OUT with my husband. The weather iscloudy & rainy

I feel like Rip VanWinkle!

Hi all MSers--I feel like I have "slept" thru a lot of my life lately--?? I like being Alert, With It, and Ready for Anything! Tho my body may be in the gutter, my MIND doesn't have to be! I took 1/2 of a Provigil this morning because I was feeling Down and knew I would have a Bad Day. Within the hour, I felt NORMAL again & carried on with daily tasks. Provigil is so much better for me than any anti-depressant. Who wants to wait WEEKS for your mood to improve-? But be careful about Drug Interactions. I go to Drugs.com to check drug interactions. The reason that I only take 1/2 Provigil is because I get intermittent heart palpitations. One-half of a 100mg tablet of Provigil is enuf for me. I had a wonderful 55th b-day in Sept. My brother & cousins came to visit, fenced-in my backyard, installed a fountain with water pump, flowers & solar lights. In addition, my dear husband bought a covered swing to put up. It is such a beautiful place to relax now! I'll include a pic next time!

Oops, I missed August!

Hey guys, I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. It must be a good sign that I missed out on blogging last month. That means I felt well enuf to do other things besides sit at my computer. Well, not exactly. My bladder doc changed me from Ditropan to Sanctura -- less dry mouth--hurray! But I always check the new drug at www.drugs.com before taking it, & this time I didn't! Well, there was an interference with Sanctura & Zantac(all antacids), so I stopped the Zantac (don't do this without asking your doc first). My regular doc asked me to try Paxil for my depression & suicidal thoughts. Paxil improved my mood within 2 days, no more crying or planning my "end". Thank goodness I'm feeling better emotionally! I'm OK with my MS and hope to stay on Tysabri. Being 2 months in a new house has its stress, but my husband helps out so much. The builders didn't put door knobs or handles on the cabinet doors & drawers, so that's the project for now. Take it easy & stay comfortable!