108 patient evaluations for Natalizumab

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Jan 22, 2010 (Started )

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (back pain)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Advice & Tips: I was barely able to walk before I started Tysabri. I tried most of the other tx's available prior to agreeing to try Tysabri. This is the bomb! I got my old life back! Yes, the side effects are bothersome, but not as bothersome as sitting in a chair all day, unable to get up. My veins are not very cooperative when it comes to the monthly infusions, but the tradeoff is huge. Be sure to get lab tests done often to avoid other problems, ie liver, vitamin D levels, ect.
Cost: $200+ monthly
Side effects: back pain
  • 1 helpful mark

Feb 26, 2010 (Started Feb 02, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL every 4 weeks
Advice & Tips: Much better option than the interferons in respect to side effects. I get a little boost from the drug for the first two weeks. I've been very happy with this medicine although it is a challenge to get it scheduled as a full time employee and it's challenging to keep up with the monitoring required due to the PML risk.
Cost: $200+ monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

Apr 15, 2009 (Started Dec 25, 2007)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL Monthly
Cost: $200+ monthly

Dec 25, 2008 (Started Dec 25, 2007)

  • Effectiveness
    Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL Monthly
Cost: $100-199 monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

Apr 16, 2010 (Started Jan 04, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for fatigue)
  • Effectiveness
    None (for walking problems)
  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for visual aura)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL every 4 weeks
Advice & Tips: Taking medication is very simple. No visable side effects. I do not see any improvement in my symtoms. No impact on my daily living.
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

May 26, 2010 (Started Aug 02, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL every 4 weeks
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

Jun 1, 2010 (Started Mar 05, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (fatigue, nausea, heartburn, acid reflux, blurry vision, headaches, cognitive impairment, muscle aches)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL every 4 weeks
Advice & Tips: I had no new lesions while on the medication, but I developed some frightening new symptoms during the last months...similar to PML. An MRI scan apparantly looks fine, and my docs want me to resume Tysabri, but I am resistant. They cannot answer why my vision is blurring at night, the numbness on my left side or the on-and-off feeling that the ground is tilting.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: headaches, nausea, blurry vision, acid reflux, cognitive impairment, heartburn, muscle aches, fatigue, fatigue
  • 1 helpful mark

Jun 1, 2010 (Started Mar 30, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    None (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL Monthly
Advice & Tips: I developed heartburn and acid reflux while taking Natalizumab. I didn't know what is what at first, but antacids help. I also felt sore, heavy, sluggish and cognitively impairded for a few days following infusions, but my CNP presribed 10 mg Prednisone to be taken following the infusion and one more 10 mg pill two days after the infusion. It pretty much took care of the problem. The greatest impact on my life was the time it took out of my day during the infusion because I had to arrange my work around the infusion. The fear of PML has also plagued me through all 16 infusions. There has been no improvement in my symptoms, although the most recent MRIs showed no new lesions.
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

Jun 29, 2010 (Started Aug 01, 2006)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (for Overall) (bullous pemphigoid)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips: First four years uneventful. Last year developed gum ulcerations, initially diagnosed by my dentist as ANUG (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis), with disseminated ulcers on my inner cheeks and gums. Referred to periodontist after failing to respond to conventional first-round treatment. Further treatment and biopsies inconclusive. In late 2009, developed rash on scalp, ears, scrotum. Treated for eczema and other bacterial and fungal infections without effect by dermatologist. In March 2010, rash developed on forehead and torso. Returned to dermatologist, diagnosed as allergic reaction to previous medications. In late March, 2010, developed blistering rash on thighs, toes, forearms, shins, axillae. Tentatively diagnosed as Stephens-Johnson, with biopsy to confirm. Biopsy instead confirmed Bullous Pemphigoid.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: bullous pemphigoid

Jun 15, 2009 (Started Aug 01, 2006)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Severe (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL Monthly
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: bullous pemphigoid
  • 1 helpful mark

Feb 2, 2010 (Started Feb 01, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: As needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Jan 14, 2009 (Started Feb 01, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips: I believe my MS is getting worse but still do feel the Tysabri is helping me.
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 1 helpful mark

Aug 13, 2010 (Started Oct 02, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (weakness in leg(s), headaches)
  • Adherence
    Usually
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 300 mg/15 mL every 4 weeks
Advice & Tips: I have been taking Tysabri for almost a year at first I did not see any real benefits to this treatment. I have now been lapse free for almost a year now. It has not helped with my current symptoms which remain the same.
Cost: < $25 monthly
Side effects: weakness in leg(s), headaches
  • 1 helpful mark
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