I am starting Tysabri in June. Previous Avonex then Copaxone. recently had major flare and made the decision to change as it has stopped me from working, mainly because of my eyesight problems. Since I have not started yet I can't give too much input, but after much reasearch it seemed to be the best option for me. Definetly go to the nationalmssociety.com website and check out the web casts for more info. If you want I can get back with you after my first treatment if you want.
Good Luck

I am trying to decide whether or not to start Tysabri. I was diagnosed last May, I can't say I have had a bad flair up since being diagnosis. I know you can understand, you have MS - boom - stress, flair up. I had an MRI in January and it showed a couple lesions in my cervial spine and one on the brain. My neurologist is being very proactive with me and wants me to try Tysabri. I am currently on Betaseron. So I am in the same boat with you two, is Tysabri the right answer?

I started on Avonex and 1 year later I switched to Copaxone. I had flare after flare while on Copaxone. I then started Tysabri. After about 3 months I felt so much better. I just had a TINY flare 13 months after starting Tysabri. My neurologist was happly surprised that Tysabri kept the flare at bay for so long. My dad passed and it was very tramatic for me. That is why they believe the flare came...too much stress.

thank you all for ur replies, i thnk i am going to make the switch. my neuro would like me to try it as well. i am going to have this disease forever so i might as well try all the drugs hat are now on the market. i have tried beta didnt really care for that one either. again thanks kelly

HI
I WAS DX IN 2007 AND PUT ON AVONEX, HAD 5 FLARES, LAST ONE WAS THE WORST, STARTED TYSABRI IN OCT, AND DOING WELL, NO FLARE UPS OR RELASES SINCE, NO SIDE AFFECTS EITHER, I SAY GO FOR IT, ITS THE BEST ONE OUT THERE.
JAV

I had to switch from REBIF to either Copax or Ty and chose Copax for 2 reasons. The antibody effect in Ty if you have to go off it. IF you go back your more than likely will have built up immunity on it, so make sure there is no reasons for you to stop Ty ie: pregnancy.

Second, within the next year is the point in months when those others died on TY because they were also on other drugs and I just feel better when that mark is passed and all is fine.

With Cx i am having flare ups so I am looking into LDN and mal-absorption. Some take CX and LDN together I have not read up on that yet to see how good that is yet. If I switch than I would take it alone.

Just for info; CX 10 year study claim is not as hip as it sounds, They say that 90% of those using Cx after 10 years are not using a walking aid. What they don't emphasize is that those in the 10 year study are only 50% of those who originally started the study. When confronting the nurses they can't tell you why the 50% left and really nobody can they just send you a 50 page medical report I can't decipher. I plan on taking to my next dr. apt.

Goodluck, just do your study on TY before you trust a doc to put you on it. MY MS NUERO #1 was biased towards it and pushed it and pushed it until I confronted him with some strong questions (from hear and from research)that he came forth with some honest answers.

Do your homework, hear is a great place to form questions to focus your research or form questions for you dr.

Tab

This is a great post...because I am at a cross road as well. I have been on Copaxone for a year and a half with MRI that showed no new lesions. Yet my nerve damage in my left leg is progressing. Do I try a different treatment? I really dont think any of the ABC drugs are better than the other. I might need to look into another treatment.

I have tried every c.r.a.b and LDN and I am now on Tysabri. The best one out of all of them is Ty, in my opinion. Copax is 2nd best. I know that's just for me cuz I know every drug interacts differently with every person. But one thing that is the same in every patient is how the drugs are administered and getting stuck once a month is way better than getting stuck everyday. Ive been on it 17 months and no flare-ups yet. when I was on Copax I had 1 flare in 10 months. I was having 4 or 5 flares a year on the interferons. Oh! and no sides with Ty! yea!

thanks for the input fred. ur knowledge is very much appreciated. thanks again, kelly

orried about the window with nothing but a steroid bolster....
any thoughts?
Best to all,
Tom

Sorry, I am also going from copaxone to Tysabri.... concearned about lag time, see above...

Was on Copaxone for 4 months before being ordered off of it and on to Tysabri.

I was rapidly progressing on Copaxone and Tysabri keeps me symptom free so i think that says it all right there.

I have been on Tysabri since April 2007. I had previously been on Avonex for 8 years. I am happy to report that my last 2 MRIs came back with no new activity. When I was on Avonex, my MRI always came back with new activity, even when I was not showing any symptoms. The other plus is no side effects like with Avonex.