Well hello (if any one even follows this blog still)!!
Not much has been going, but I had a MRI completed yesterday, 3/8/2015. Quick and easy = no contrast agent (gadolinium) was administered. I think the funnest part about the MRI appointment was the interaction I had with the technologist conducting the scan. He asked if I've had an MRI before. I answered "oh, yes, this will be my 7th.....I have MS." His response, "oh, really, I would not have ever thought you had MS" was great to hear! I do get that surprised response from many people after they find out I have MS. Anyway, the results: My neurologist reviewed the MRI report and images, similar in appearance to prior exam in 2011, no significant change or new lesions.
Most of you know I have been administering a daily 20mg injectable therapy medication called Copaxone. Last year, the 3-times-a-week COPAXONE 40 mg was approved. I emailed my neurologist explaining how I was curious if the 40mg is on the formulary yet, and if so, it would be something I would now consider switching to (as long as he agreed). Dr informed me he called the Pharmacy to change to 40 mg dose. Well, turns out the 40 mg is not on the Kaiser formulary yet as it currently has a monthly copay of $1,200. No way... I will be sticking with the daily poke for a bit longer! Major ugh!
Other than that things are going a-okay!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Friday, May 30, 2014
Well, well.. I have to say I have been meaning to log-in to this site for quite some time to post something, but what?! :) Things are going well, no exacerbations/relapses, hence the lack of MS activity postings since late 2012. Life is going great, busy and it will get busier since summer is right around the corner.
On 5/20 Casey accompanied me to a local lunch MS Event I had registered for (and it was also his birthday). The topic was 'Intro to the 3-times a week Copaxone 40mg experience' where as I am still on the 7-times a week (daily) 20 mg Copaxone injections. Other than the event's informative topic, we also learned about some new tools such as the new phone app to record my injections (vs the paper book I receive yearly) and injection site updates. I also learned that I should have a new autoject every yr to yr & half. I was not aware of this at all, so I have been using the same autoject since 5/2007. I called and requested a new autoject and received not one, but two yesterday. I was told the reasoning for the new autoject is because the spring within the device can weaken; however, mine has been working just fine but it's always a good idea to have extras should something occur.
I will try to be better and add posting more frequently, but as I say, if there aren't any new postings, well hey, that is a good thing :) Have a great summer & remember to reapply yur sunscreen!
On 5/20 Casey accompanied me to a local lunch MS Event I had registered for (and it was also his birthday). The topic was 'Intro to the 3-times a week Copaxone 40mg experience' where as I am still on the 7-times a week (daily) 20 mg Copaxone injections. Other than the event's informative topic, we also learned about some new tools such as the new phone app to record my injections (vs the paper book I receive yearly) and injection site updates. I also learned that I should have a new autoject every yr to yr & half. I was not aware of this at all, so I have been using the same autoject since 5/2007. I called and requested a new autoject and received not one, but two yesterday. I was told the reasoning for the new autoject is because the spring within the device can weaken; however, mine has been working just fine but it's always a good idea to have extras should something occur.
I will try to be better and add posting more frequently, but as I say, if there aren't any new postings, well hey, that is a good thing :) Have a great summer & remember to reapply yur sunscreen!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
So, a friend of mine sent me an email last week letting me know she periodically checks my MS blog but noticed there hasn't been anything since June and asks if no news (as in nothing to blog about) good news? I hope so.
Guess it has been a while since my last post - more than a year - that is unacceptable! :) Anyway... Nope, I haven't made any postings since not thing to report; however, for almost two weeks now I think I have been experiencing a exacerbation. My left leg feels a bit odd, not numb but just a strange sensation. I know if I go to the doctor he would offer me a prescription for steroids but I don't think that is necessary. Besides, if I can manage, I feel it is unnecessary to drug myself. I think if things were/got worse, it would be a different situation. Some people may disagree, and that is okay, but this is what I have decided to do. Other than that things are going just fine.
Happy holidays to everyone!!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
MRI results
Oops, I had forgotten to let you all know what the findings were. Results for my 11/15/11 MRI showed a few areas 'suspicious for active disease', which isn't anything different from my past findings. Other than that things are fine and nothing to be alarmed about.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Lastest MRI
I had not realized how long it has been since I last posted anything on here...
Not much has been going, but I had a MRI completed 11/15/11. My last one was 12/13/09 so I was due for another. When I first met with Dr. Ansari, my new Kaiser Permanaete neurologist, 9/18, he explained how he wanted to have a more current scan done this month to see if there are any changes, regarding lesion activity in my brain. I have to say, this was the best MRI experience yet. By easy I mean relatively quick and the injection to administer the contrast agent (gadolinium) for the second part of the MRI was not a problem at all!
So far, the people I have interacted with at Kaiser have been real nice. It helps my visits to my different appointments have not consisted of waiting hours in the waiting room prior to being seen, unlike the visits in MI. I am a fan of the way the Kaiser system has been since I became a member - really thought out and logically put together. I quote myself when I say 'Kaiser work like I think' - why make things complicated when it is not necessary.
As far as my MRI, I have not heard back on the results yet. I don't think the wait should be too long until I find out.
Not much has been going, but I had a MRI completed 11/15/11. My last one was 12/13/09 so I was due for another. When I first met with Dr. Ansari, my new Kaiser Permanaete neurologist, 9/18, he explained how he wanted to have a more current scan done this month to see if there are any changes, regarding lesion activity in my brain. I have to say, this was the best MRI experience yet. By easy I mean relatively quick and the injection to administer the contrast agent (gadolinium) for the second part of the MRI was not a problem at all!
So far, the people I have interacted with at Kaiser have been real nice. It helps my visits to my different appointments have not consisted of waiting hours in the waiting room prior to being seen, unlike the visits in MI. I am a fan of the way the Kaiser system has been since I became a member - really thought out and logically put together. I quote myself when I say 'Kaiser work like I think' - why make things complicated when it is not necessary.
As far as my MRI, I have not heard back on the results yet. I don't think the wait should be too long until I find out.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Visual Guide to Multiple Sclerosis
I received an email from WebMD on multiple sclerosis. One of the topics/links in the issue contained a link to a visual guide to MS. I think it is very helpful and maybe you will too. Please, check it out: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/slideshow-multiple-sclerosis-overview?ecd=wnl_mls_012111
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
