Tysabri has proven to heal my brain and spine

I wanted to let all my new friends know that I had my first MRI today since I started taking the Tysabri 6 months ago. I was diagnosed in 1995 and in 1996 I started Avonex- which made me sick everyday for years. I changed to Copaxon in 2000 and I hated it, so I  decided to quit all MS medications, except for muscle relaxers, anti-depressants, etc. In 2007, my new neurologist asked me to try Rebif, but my insurance would not pay for it.  I went back to see  her and she said I had two options left since I failed the other treatments. Tysabri and one other chemo drug.

I talked with my family and friends about it and they thought I was crazy, so I requested that my mother travel to Arkansas  so we could have another discussion with my doctor.  After the appt. my mom and husband said it was my decision. So I  decided to take the risk while knowing all  the bad things that could happen to me.  I didn't care because I felt like I didn't have any thing to lose.

Well, my first post-Tysabri MRI has shown that it IS healing my brain and spine. The last MRI showed I  had bi-lateral brain damage from the lesions. Since 1995 I have NEVER had an MRI improve - they got worse every time I had one. I know there are alot of bad things being said about Tysabri, but I love it. It has given me back 6 months of a semi-normal life.  All I  can say, " IS PRAISE GOD" miracles do happen.

I was telling my new friend Cosmobirdy that: I knew it was a great risk, and it could still come back one day to bite me in the butt......I went with my gut feeling on this even though my family & friends thought I was crazy.  

My motto has always been that,"I wanted to have quality of life over quantity of life." The Tysabri has given me 6 months of quality of life and If God decides to take me tomorrow.....I  will be grateful for the extra 6 months.

I pray for all of my new friends I have met on this forum and I hope to continue to meet many more people.  We need each other for the support, information and new resources for MS. I'm so grateful  to  have met you all and you all have helped  me more in ONE week than months of counseling. My feeling of being alone in the world with this disease is so much easier to deal  with knowing I can talk with all of you.


Lori

[Quixotic1]

I am so glad that you shared this with us.  This is monumental for you!  And I would have supported your position from the beginning.  Actually the risks in Tysabri are not as great as people talk about.  There still is the risk of some serious infections, and they list 1 death in 1000, but the newer statistics are lower than that.  That is not a huge risk and it has to be looked at along side the effects of a disease that relentlessly takes more and more from you.

I am sooo pleased for you and your post made my whole evening!

YIPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!  Lori's brain is BETTER!!!!!  This is fabulous!

Thank you and have a BIG MRI celebration!

Quix

[Lulu54]

I love good news - this is beyond good, it is wonderful!  I know cosmobirdy will be so happy to hear these latest results too if you haven't already told her.  

Thanks for sharing the happiness with us here!

Be well, Lulu

[essdipity]

Great news! And great hope for others among us who haven't done well on the CRAB drugs.

Hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful, happy time for you.

ess

[Heather3418]

Tears are just rolling down my face.  I am SO HAPPY to hear your miracluous news.  How wonderful for you?  Have you shared this news with the Tyasbri drug maker?

It's time for a dance..how bout a square dance.  Wheelchairs and canes are invited to join in.

BIGGGGGG HUGSSSSS,
Heather

[sllowe]

Yay!

Oh, Lori - What terrific news!

I'm so happy for you, and even happier to be a part of this time with you!

Thank you so much for being here with us, and thank you for sharing yourself and your journey with us.

This too has made my day!  Hope and positive progress.  It is all possible!

ttys,
Shell

[Fluffysmom]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!  I'm very happy for you.  Thank you for putting a big smile on my face and a few tears in my eyes (I have severe dry eyes, so tears are good)!

I hope Rita has as such good results from her Tysabri infusions

Thanks for sharing your joyful news with us.

Kathy

[doublevision1]

Fantastic news, you must be elated!  Thank you for sharing.  Your progress on Tysabri is both exciting and reassuring.  It is quite possible that many of us here who are now on one of the CRAB drugs will eventually need to switch to a more aggressive therapy as our disease runs its course.  Hearing stories like yours makes that prospect less scary.  And in the meantime, for Rita and others who have recently started on Tysabri, your post couldn't have come at a better time.

[lbradley35]

I am still in shock about the news.  I hope that the longer I am on the Tysabri...the better the MRI's will continue to get. Thank you so much for your comments.  I hope that those of you who are just starting out on Tysabri can post an even better report on your first post-Tysabri MRI.  

Thanks so much for your support - I love talking and reading all the comments on this forum. You all have truly helped me.

Lori