Tysabri is a dream come true for many individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Personally, I have opted to take Gilenya (for now), but Tysabri was very tempting when I considered my options after it became apparent that Rebif would not work out for me any longer. However, along with Tysabri’s side effects comes one very sinister danger: PML. One patient on Gilenya has been diagnosed with PML, and it can happen to anyone whether or not they have MS. Knowing that medication (especially newer medications) may bring a risk of PML has frightened us all.
diagnostic
Living With Multiple Sclerosis – Four Years
“They” say that you are considered newly diagnosed for the first 2 1/2 to 3 years after your Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. It seems like only yesterday that I posted my “Year One” article. It seems like only yesterday that I was diagnosed! Somehow, enough time has passed that I find myself at a point where I have been living with Multiple Sclerosis for four years.
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A Reader’s Story – MS & Phoebe
The article below is a reader’s story sent to me by friend and author Phoebe Leggett (http://www.phoebe-leggett.com) who blogs regularly on faith, grief, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture For Multiple Sclerosis
There is no single test to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis – it is a clinical diagnosis, meaning that the diagnosis comes about as a result of multiple tests and symptom analysis. When I was diagnosed an MRI, a lumbar puncture, and paralysis in my right arm and on the right side of my face were all taken into account. Although it took years to get to this point, you could say that I was fortunate to have such a clear case – many individuals have a very difficult time receiving a diagnosis while others may be incorrectly diagnosed with MS. The lumbar puncture, or a crude version of it, was developed in 1889 to relieve intracranial pressure for tuberculous meningitis. It has been somewhat refined over the years as many different uses for it were discovered, but the basics remain the same.
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Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Latest Gilenya Test Results
My one year anniversary of taking Gilenya occurred in May, but my first MRI results and latest blood test since beginning treatment occurred only recently. Multiple Sclerosis can be a very unpredictable disease, but prior to treatment with Gilenya I averaged 2 – 3 relapses per year. My neurologists have told met hat the average gap between relapses is 18 months which I have never achieved. However, I am getting closer every day as this is the longest relapse-free period I have ever had since diagnosis. My Gilenya test results during my last office visit were overwhelmingly positive.
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MRI For Multiple Sclerosis
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging AKA the procedure wherein many non-claustrophobic people find out what claustrophobia kinda feels like. MRI is an important tool in diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis and in monitoring disease progression. Last week I underwent the least stressful MRI that I have ever experienced (thanks Ativan!). What is MRI for Multiple Sclerosis?
Depending on your disease activity and medication you are probably being scanned anywhere from every 6 months to every 2 years. How does the MRI work and what does it teach us? Today we are discussing traditional MRI for Multiple Sclerosis.