Information and opinions on health from Karen at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/12741/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/12741/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/12741/index http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/138176/5-wks Wed, 11 May 2011 22:46:31 -0400 Karen Hello everyone.... I apologize for being lax in posting over the past few weeks. I let my son, Justin, borrow the laptop and I've just had no interest in getting on my desktop. I went back to my neuro yesterday and had a good report from my labs. My lymphocyte count is down but not worrisome to him and liver functioning is fine. I go back in 3 months to see him, go for another eye exam in July and start physical therapy on my neck this Friday.... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/138176/5-wks http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/137230/day-25 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:16:55 -0400 Karen Hello everyone. Sorry I've dropped the ball on posting the past couple of weeks but the good news is, it's not because I've been sick or anything. I've just been extremely busy, getting things done that had been neglected and a few family issues to deal with as well. So onto update about the Gilenya. So far, it's been great for me. I haven't had any adverse reactions yet but will know more when I have my blood work done. I've had energy and... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/137230/day-25 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135917/days-3 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:51:27 -0400 Karen Today is day 4 of Gilenya and it has been the best day so far. About the only thing I have negative to say, is I woke up at 4am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. The insomnia has nothing to do with the medication and everything to do with MS. It's so annoying! I've been nausea free all day, blood pressure has been steady and none of the other side effects I was told could happen, has thus far happened. Yesterday, I felt pretty... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135917/days-3 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135738/day-2 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:24:25 -0400 Karen Let me begin by saying this, I am in no way an expert on MS or the meds. These posts are simple informational as to how I am personally responding to the drug Gilenya.   I didn't sleep much last night, not sure if was because of the drug, simply insomnia or maybe it was the Starbucks Frappucino I had on my way to pick my husband up from work. LOL Naw, it couldn't be that ;-} I haven't been a good girl today, didn't follow doctor's... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135738/day-2 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135669/day-11 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:47:38 -0400 Karen Home from a long day at the dr's office. Time actually went by pretty fast. Meg and I sat there, read, watched a little tv and chatted the day away. I played on the laptop some, did some research online and took care of some business. Nothing out of the ordinary usual day for me, except the place. The reason they monitor you after the first dose, is for possible harmful side efffects,(low heart rate, high blood pressure, etc) but neither... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135669/day-11 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135593/march Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:14:43 -0400 Karen Well it's the evening before' I start Gilenya and I'll admit I'm nervous about it. Just found out that one my FB friends will be there tomorrow as well, to start Gilenya. She and I haven't actually met yet, found her through our doctor"s FB page.  So I know I'm not going to be on this journey alone! Which this makes me feel better because she and I will be able to keep tabs on each other, out side the dr. office. Til tomorrow, that's it... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135593/march http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135136/story Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:17:52 -0400 Karen        I was diagnosed with MS on Jan 27, 2007, well that was when I actually accepted the diagnosis anyway, after getting a 2nd opinion from a neurologist that specialises in MS. I was first diagnosised Oct 4, 2006 and put on Betaseron injections immediately. I didn't care for this neurologist,his bedside manner stunk and he wouldn't take his time with you and let you digest this news. So me being the type of... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/12741/135136/story