Hi all. New to this site / forum and so thought I would see if anyone would kindly provide some much needed advice or simply share the benefit of their experience. There are probably plenty of these type of threads that have already been posted, however following my recent relapsing-remitting MS diagnosis this week, I am to begin some DMD treatment soon with Alemtuzumab-Campath. I have a few details and some literature supplied by the Specialist MS Nurse, but what is the experience / logistics of going into hospital really like for those that have experienced this particular drug? How did you feel during the treatment and afterwards? What have been the initial pros and cons for those who have chosen this route? Is there any tips or advice that you feel may be of a benefit in preparation for the first stay in hospital? Any advice would be much appreciated.
l thought l would just reply to ‘bump’ up your post before it fell off the front page. l know nothing about dmd’s - as l have had SPMS for 31yrs - so beyond help [for now]. But over the years reading about the various drugs l have wondered why Campath is not mentioned very often as l thought it had good reviews.
Lets hope you get some answers.
wish you all the best, you lucky so and so. i asked about campath but was told it was for the younger msers!
i’ve only heard good things about it.
carole x
Much appreciate the replies SJ and PP. I too wondered about Campath as everyone seems to highlight and discuss other drugs which are arguably more well known on the forums. Maybe I’m lucky as PP suggests, particularly if ‘younger msers’ are on the right side of 40!
I have had two courses of campath as part of a trial,I cannot really help with the hospital advice as my treatment was administered in a clinic.The treatment itself is fairly straightforward,a steroid infusion followed by the campath and then a flush,if anything it’s quite boring so I’d advise you to take lots of books and magazines etc to keep yourself entertained.It can make you feel very tired both during and afterwards and I had a slight headache also.Regarding the side effects afterwards all I can really say us everyone’s different!There are a range of after effects which I’m sure will be explained to you and nothing that can’t be resolved with a paracetamol or antihistamine.I think the most common feeling is extreme fatigue so just make sure you get plenty of rest.If you would like to know any more then please feel free to dm me.Above all,remember how fortunate you are to be receiving such a fantastic treatment!
I have had two courses of campath as part of a trial,I cannot really help with the hospital advice as my treatment was administered in a clinic.The treatment itself is fairly straightforward,a steroid infusion followed by the campath and then a flush,if anything it’s quite boring so I’d advise you to take lots of books and magazines etc to keep yourself entertained.It can make you feel very tired both during and afterwards and I had a slight headache also.Regarding the side effects afterwards all I can really say us everyone’s different!There are a range of after effects which I’m sure will be explained to you and nothing that can’t be resolved with a paracetamol or antihistamine.I think the most common feeling is extreme fatigue so just make sure you get plenty of rest.If you would like to know any more then please feel free to dm me.Above all,remember how fortunate you are to be receiving such a fantastic treatment!
I had Campath 3 times at the University Hospital Of Wales, was only meant to be 2 but I did have one mild relapse 6 months after the 2nd course. I had my first relapse in March 2008 and then 6 more up until September of 2009, I was on a stick, gained loads of steroid weight (3st) and generally felt awful!!I had infusions in Dec 09, 10 and 11.
Today, I am 4 stone lighter, no stick, feel amazing. I cannot praise this drug enough 
I have a life back and barely think about MS.
I stayed in hospital for my infusions - Actually kind of enjoyed it, took books, laptop and dongle and phone and looked at it like a mini break each time. Side effects have been covered in the above posts - You are very lucky.
Im only here browsing as I met up with a friend with MS at the weekend and were talking about these forums, I haven’t been here in years! (Having a fling with someone off here kind of put me off but that’s another story lol!)