My Tysabri Diary...,

I had my 29th Tysabri infusion yesterday, all went well, and it was pretty quiet being that it was Christmas Eve at my infusion center..., one thing of interest happened there yesterday..., a gentleman was having Remicade for his RA (he usually has a pretreatment with Benadryl, but declined it yesterday), and he developed an allergic reaction almost immediately.

The infusion nurse stopped his IV, and then administered Benadryl..., I mentioned to him that Claritin-D tablets work really well (Claritin-D is what I take to pretreat my Tysabri infusions), and that he my want to discuss using same with his doctor, rather than pretreating with having Benadryl. He said he definitely would.

Also, I've been really busy answering all the questions on the different MS boards and e-mails about the latest PML case/death..., I will answer them here as well; there is some additional information which was posted by Biogen on the SEC filings website, which they are required to do:

Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/54x5rm (US Securities & Exchange Commission)

Basically, it states the following:

"• Background:

- Patient has a history of MS and prior disease modifying therapies, including beta-interferons and glatiramer acetate.

- Patient had also received prior therapy with methotrexate for a rheumatological condition.

- Patient received 14 infusions of TYSABRI monotherapy.

- Clinical vigilance led to early identification of signs and symptoms of possible PML and to clinical evaluation which included MRI scanning and CSF testing.

- Patient is under the care of patient’s treating physician."

Unfortunately, methotrexate has been positively associated with PML because of its extremely strong immunosuppressive actions. See page 1 of the following NEJM article, which states the following:

"Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (pml) is a rare, oligodendroglial infection caused by the polyomavirus JC virus. It usually occurs in people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but it has also been reported in immunocompromised patients receiving prolonged treatment with methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine."

Here is the link for the New England Journal of Medicine article:
http://tinyurl.com/4qeddp (NEJM)

I hope this information helps. So anyway, I wish you all the very best the holiday season, and a very happy, healthy, and promising New Year!

Again, Merry Christmas!

((((hugs))))

Love, Lauren :)

***Christmas Visitors (a Christmas card from Jacqueline Lawson, this card reminds me of the Christmas' I had in the past)

http://www.jacquielawson.com/preview.asp?cont=1&hdn=0&pv=3150426

***Plus One - "This Christmas" (the words are listed in the video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IujRQWgMqr4

***Celine Dion - "Ava Maria" (some of the words are Italian and I did my best to translate them, so please forgive me if some of them are wrong)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99JjYWyjoU&feature=related

Ave Maria
Maiden mild
Oh listen to a maiden's prayer
For thou canst hear amid the wild
'Tis thou 'tis thou canst save amid despair
We slumber safely till the morrow
Though we've by man outcast reviled
Oh Maiden see a maiden's sorrow
Oh Mother hear a suppliant child
Ave Maria
Ave Maria gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Ave ave dominus
Dominus tecum
The murky cavern's air so heavy
Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled
Oh, Maiden, hear a maiden pleadin'
Oh, Mother, hear a suppliant child
Ave Maria
Ave Maria

***Celine Dion - "Another Year Has Gone By"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcr6bBVf6D0

So many 25th's of December
Just as many 4th of July's
And we're still holding it together
It only comes down to you and I

I know that you can still remember
Things we said right from the start
When we said that this could be special
I'm keeping those words deep down in my heart

Another year has gone by
And I'm still the one by your side
After everything that's gone by
There's still no one saying goodbye
Though another year has gone by

I've never been much for occasions
But you never let another birthday go by
Without announcing how much you love me
But the truth was always there
Right there in your eyes

And we're still holding hands when we're walking
Acting like we've only just met
But how can that be - when there's so much history?
I guess that's how true lovers can get

Another year has gone by
And I'm still the one by your side
After everything that's gone by
There's still no one saying goodbye
Though another year has gone by

Another year has gone by
And I'm still the one by your side
After everything that's gone by
There's still no one saying goodbye
Though another year has gone by