| Subject: Re: Novantrone, 2 years |
Author:
nancy young
|
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Date Posted: 06:42:33 03/23/05 Wed
In reply to:
nancy young
's message, "Re: Novantrone, 2 years" on 06:38:22 03/23/05 Wed
>Hi Reesa (nice name!)
>
>I'm just about to start Novantrone - have you been
>stable since this message?
>
>How are your veins? Previous Steroid IVs have caused
>problems, so this is something I am glad to be aware
>of.
>
>Thanks agan, best,
>
>Nancy
>>Hi,
>>
>>My experience with Novantrone is probably different,
>>as with most MS symptoms, but here goes.
>>
>>I have been on Novantrone for 2 years, but I've been
>>approved to continue because in the second year, the
>>dose was cut in half. This was done after the
>>administering doctor consulted with my neurologist.
>>With the doses cut in half, my lifetime "allowance" is
>>doubled. I also take a Copaxone shot daily.
>>
>>At first, I actually felt an improvement after each
>>Novantrone treatment. I was walking better and had
>>more energy. But it was only temporary. By the third
>>treatment, I felt no better and realized I was
>>experiencing a very slow progression of my original
>>symptoms (mainly a foot dragging).
>>
>>But I continued with Novantrone because it did have
>>one clear benefit: the length of time between attacks
>>increased. Prior to Novantrone, when I was on Copaxone
>>alone, I had an attack within two years. Since
>>starting Novantrone, I have been attack-free for three
>>years.
>>
>>This is the longest I have been attack free since I
>>was first diagnosed with MS, about 7 years ago.
>>
>>One clear drawback to the Novantrone is that whichever
>>vein I receive the infusion in becomes irritated to
>>the point of what my primary doctor calls vasculitis.
>>It itches like crazy for about two months after the
>>treatment. One vein (treated over three months ago)
>>has darkened and become hard to the touch. I'm still
>>waiting for it to return to normal.
>>
>>When I researched the side effects, I found that this
>>is a rare, but known effect. The treating physician
>>diluted the Novantrone solution the last time I
>>received it (two weeks ago), but the vein is itching.
>>Hopefully, it will not become hard like the other one.
>>
>>I would like to know more about counteracting this
>>side effect. Are there any other medications that can
>>be added to the solution to protect the vein? I know
>>they include a mild steroid to prevent nausea. Could
>>this be changed or increased?
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