After 10 months on Tysabri I have now tested consistently positive for Tysabri antibodies and the infusions are now being stopped. Has anyone else had this happen and what experience has then been had if switched to Tecfidera?
I was diagnosed a year ago and the first treatment they gave me were Tysabri infusions after making sure all of my blood tests came back good, and for me my JC results were negative. After 2 infusions I became ill with Jaundice, which from my knowledge is the biggest symptom from Tysabri. I was in the hospital for about a week.They then switched my to Tecfidera and I absolutely LOVE it, and have been on it since! I don't truly know your story, but I hope it helps! :)
This is interesting. I used to be on Tysabri. These infusions worked great. Once I did not have my job anymore and a car I could not go to the infusion sites even if it only once a month. I also had to switch my neurologist and asked him about Tecfidera. He though that Tecfidera was a great idea for me and I have been using it no since April 2014. I only had 2 back to back episodes in the end of 2014. I attibute too much stress to it. I prefered the Tysabri because the Tecfidera, although convinient gives me Flushes (I look like a got a sunburn or have been drinking.) But since my last episoded were I had to go to the hospital and I di not even have a flare-up Tecfidera has been working fine.
I became JC positive after 3 plus years. My doc @ University of Chicago big in research said the studies show you can still receive it every other month with frequent JC blood tests, if titers (how positive are you) are 1.5 or lower i can continue! The every other month deal is shown adequate for smaller people as tysabri is still present after one month so they switched to every other as long as my titers are 1.5 or less.
Some doc's just give it regardless of JC results, as long as the patient agrees??
I don't know the answer..truly its a difficult situation