Tysabri did it help you walk and balance better

Hi l was diagnosed 6 weeks ago, had a 5 day steroid treatment which helped me walk and balance alot better, in a few weeks l start Tysabri, l was wondering if anyone here found tysabri helped them walk and balance a bit better or no difference. l was thinking if the steroids helped with walking by reducing inflammation then if tysabri also reduces inflammation it might help also

Is the relapse and steroids a recent thing? If so, with a bit of luck you’ll still be recovering and healing under your own steam. Maybe you’ll make a complete recovery - some people do, particularly in the early days of their RRMS, although I have to say that has never been my experience.

Or was it some time ago and recovery has stalled and you’re wondering whether Tysabri will kick-start it again? I don’t think that’s one of the things Tysabri claims to do - its role (as you know is to stop you getting into such trouble in the first place).

I don’t know anything about it but my personal experience of 15 relapse-free years or so on the drug. For me, it does not undo any of the permanent disability that pre-Tysabri relapses left me with. There’s no getting that toothpaste back in the tube. But the thing it has done for me in addition to calming down my aggressive MS is that it has given me peace and space to make the most of the bits of me that do work. An example: my walking range (with two hiking poles) has increased a little over the years, not because the damage has healed - it hasn’t - but because I’m stronger generally and my system has recruited other muscles and tissues into compensating a little bit.

I think it’s a great drug. I hope that you find it suits you too.

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I’m no medic but this is my understanding. Tysabri itself won’t help you walk better. Once the damage has been done to the relevant nerves that’s pretty much it. However! The brain has a great capacity to find new pathways down which to send and receive signals, particularly when younger ( referred to as brain ‘plasticity’ I think). Also, the body will try to repair nerves and achieve this to a limited extent but might well be fighting a losing battle with MS.

So,to me, the important thing is to keep ‘young and healthy :sunglasses:’. Seriously, to follow a healthy lifestyle using e.g a guiding principle that what’s good for the heart (diet, exercise) is good for the brain and, conversely, that what’s bad for the heart ( exercise, diet and stress wise ) is going to be bad for the brain - and MS!

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