steriods/PP

Hi Gabrielle and all,

I plan to talk about Tysabri with my doctor again the first week in March. I will be off cellcept about four months by then. I was concerned about the potential for PML, but the problem appears to be with patients taking both Avonex and Tysabri. My stent with Avonex lasted 9 months with no benefit so I stopped it and went back on PP and IV Solumedrol last year.
I have been lucky in that they have been able to use regular 17 ga needles in my arms the past 3 1/2 years, so my risk has been no greater than for other IV procedures. On a lot of the PP they have been able to use a smaller angiocath (sp?) in my wrist for the return which is nice. When they first began PP I had four vas caths “installed” and all became infected, so I understand that risk all to well.
I do get calcium IV during the PP to offset some of the potential side effetcts. I don’t have the weight gain problem with the pulse IV solumedrol and my doctor says the side effect potential is much lower than with oral streoids.
I’ll let you know about the Tysabri decision. I am also following another post about Tyasbri to see how Shannon does with it.
Fred

P.S. A hint for those taking IV’s for PP, IVIG or any repetitive IV, rub the IV sites with vitamin E cream every night before bed. It seems to reduce scar tissue build up at the puncture sites.