@jade88 

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jade88

Pregnancy, MS and Tysabri

I was diagnosed with MS two and a half months ago. I presented at the emergency department with 'odd' symptoms that progressively got worse over three days. Clinical details described by the doctors: Brown Sequard symptoms. Moderate weakness and hyper-reflexia right side. Absent proprioception and temperature sense left side. Onset 2 days ago, now in third. I was sent for an MRI and it was discovered i had MS. I had old and new lesions, i was never aware i had MS or even any symptoms indicating there was something wrong with me. It was discovered i had an extensive amount of lesions throughout my brain and spine. I was only given one option and that was Tysabri due to the neuro's concern of it becoming more aggressive. My partner and I have been discussing way before i was diagnosed of MS of having a baby. I discussed this with my neuro, he advised that although it is my decision, he would recommend i stay on Tysabri through conception and throughout pregnancy. I am really concerned by what he has said... because all research on the internet says differently... I am so confused on what is the RIGHT decision to make... Do i chance this and risk my child having a disability/deform because of my selfishness to have a child? Or do i stop all medication and risk getting further attacks which could result in myself becoming disabled? Or as heartbreaking as this is, do i just give up the desire to ever have children? Has anyone had children? Children require and need 24/7 care and they can be mentally and physically draining but i am determined to do this. I just dont know which way to go about it...
@jade88

forgot to add; i was on a course of steriods at the time and am now physically fine. Tysabri has also helped greatly, however i have never been one any other medication so this could be bias.

@arja

I've had a child after my diagnosis :) I was diagnosed with MS 2008 and my symptoms were in my eyes only. I did as my neuro adviced me: started medication immediately and took it for (almost) 2 years. Then after plus pregnancy test, stopped using Copaxone. Tysabri is a bit different I think and I have no experience on it. Pregnancy and breast feeding time in most cases protects you from MS and at least for me it worked. Anyhow, my neuro thought that it was important to start medication quickly, medicate for some time and then plan for the baby. Don't know if this was any help to you, but my experiences from Finland and I really believe my neuro is "into" this as he's done some research on it in Finland as well :) You shouldn't give up on having a baby in my opinion! :)