Tysabri

Hello all,

Well, as the title suggests I am starting Tysabri treatment. I saw my neurologist last week and he said that the scan had shown up new lesions so I was eligible to try Tysabri if I wanted to. So I am going to go for it and have been given April 27th as my start date. I am going to be writing a Tysabri diary of my experiences which you will be able to read on the MSRC website (http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=2336 )

He also pointed out from the scan that I was currently having a relapse (which I suspected) so they gave me another course of IV steroids last week. I responded really well to them until 2 days after the course finished I woke up in agony. I have never known pain like it. My knees felt like they were grinding together and I couldn't even stand up. It was pretty scary. I suspected it might have been all linked with a water infection and was given antibiotics for this the next day and the pain everywhere else started to subside. I don't want to ever experience that again. But on the upside, although weak, my legs are stronger than they were.

As you can see from the picture, Ava is getting big now. She was 5 months last week. She makes all these problems bearable. And I must mention my wonderful husband who is such a great support for me. Plus he told me I don't mention him enough on here!!!!

Em x

Ouch ouch ouch!

Good morning all!

I bet you're all wondering why this blog is called ouch ouch ouch!? (or maybe not!) Well the last couple of times I have had IV steroids, I notice that I finish the treatment on the Thursday and by the Saturday morn (now) my skin is so so sore to touch. I could feel it getting more and more uncomfortable throughout the night, so much so it hurt to turn over. I had to even turn the power down on the shower this morn because it felt like shards if glass raining down on me. Nothing a few painkillers won't help!

So I have the day to myself today, what to do? Well, firstly I have to get my planning done for my supply teacher next week, then I think it will be an afternoon in front of the six nations, 3 games in a row. Nathan has gone to see Wales V Italy in Cardiff and having turned up to get the train this morning, found out that there were no trains running so is on a bus! We had to pop to casualty last night to get his ankle x-rayed (after he dropped some scrap metal on it last week at work). Luckily, there doesn't appear to be a break, so he has gone to drink the pain away!


Well, I saw Occupational Health this week and they didn't really tell me anymore than I knew already. I felt like I was making the suggestions to them and they were just agreeing. They agree that my classroom needs to be moved downstairs so I don't have to negotiate the stairs at school more than I need to, but also to keep my classroom at a reasonable temperature. They have also suggested I get in touch with 'Access to Work', which I have heard good things about and they may be able to help with more suggestions to get me back into work full time again.


I don't know if any of you watch Neighbours, but they are currently covering a story line where Susan Kennedy has got MS. I am watching with interest as she is mainly suffering with extreme fatigue, and dizzy spells and pins and needles in her hand. She has already blacked out in a car and run someone over, so there is obviously something not quite right. Although I don't suffer with extreme fatigue and blackouts, I know there are people out there who do.

I thought I'd take this chance to introduce my snoring partner for the day - she snores so loudly! So here is our 4 year old cat Jazz. She may look sweet and innocent but looks can be deceiving!!!!

Have a nice day,
Emma x

IV Steroids

Hey guys,

Well I'm on day 2 of my IV steroids and seem to be having a good response to them so far........! Fingers crossed! For those of you that don't know what the steroids do I'll try to explain it. They feed them straight into the vein (intravenously) for an hour a day over 3 consecutive days. They only help you recover from a relapse quicker than you would do without them. They also only help you recover to the extent you would do anyway without them. So if you are likely to suffer from effects of the relapse the symptoms may disappear temporarily with the steroids but may return after they leave your system. So now it's just a waiting game. The elf seems to be loosening it's grip though so that is some relief, perhaps he's losing his energy!

I have had a really lovely week so far, it's half term so I'm not expected in school anyway. I have caught up with 2 old school friends, which has been lovely. I have been to my physio balance group and now I am off to have my hair done. I am off for a meeting with Occupational Health tomorrow morning to find out how I'm going to get back into work so I'll let you know how I get on with that. I am also meeting my favourite teaching assistant for lunch on Friday. Looks like I'll be having a quiet weekend as well as Nathan is off to watch Wales V Italy in the 6 nations on saturday. I'll be cheering on the mighty Spurs in the Carling cup final!

Take care xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx