Thanks for everyone's concern in what's going on (except Roger's Market--dang comment-marketers!)

I completed 5-days of IVSM (outpatient, going in once a day). I am now on a 10-day taper dose of prednisone. My mood sucks. While I am not the calmest person and can have a temper, I find myself boiling mad--with my husband, drivers, people at the grocery store, etc. I understand this can be a side effect, and I am not using it as an excuse; just trying to manage it. So, I am using my Ativan (usually for anxiety) to manage that.

I don't think I have optic neuritis, per se. But I was having double vision and now feel kind of out-of-focus. I got so frustrated while grocery shopping last night (which doesn't help the mood swings) because to read things was difficult. My husband said the wrong thing to me when I said, "I can't see!" He said, "Then do something about it!" I screamed, "I CAN'T do anything about it." He finally got it, but I think that is what makes it frustrating, that it isn't as simple as going and getting a new RX for my contacts.

As for switching to Tysabri. I know it is a huge decision, one I am not taking lightly. I am having my MRIs mailed to me and will likely see another doctor to look over them. The nurse was encouraging about this, but also warned me that it could become confusing, seeing as I could visit 5 doctors and get 5 opinions.

The risks of Tysabri don't freak me out, really. My questions revolve around how long is Tysabri for? My doc mentioned short-term, maybe a year, but this sounds atypical. How long does it have to flush out of my body before I say...start a family. There's no big rush on that one, but I want to make sure it's not like waiting two more years to even talk about it, after stopping. Also, regarding the other drugs, I want to ask about if the other CRABS would be more effective. I mentioned Copaxone, and was told no, since it's not an interferon (hence, why I thought it might be more fruitful). My understanding is that Avonex and Rebif (which I am on now) are the same interferons, so I don't know how much of a switch we would see.

So, as I said, I have a lot of questions, and it's not like I am starting the big T tomorrow, or next week, for that matter.

Today, I am going to my family doctor to talk about bone density. I don't think I am having any issues, but I know a few people lately whose bones have had adverse reactions to steroids--and not tons and tons of them, but to an IVSM treatment or two. Osteopeania, osteoporosis, and AVN (dead bones). Since I have had steroids twice in 10 months, I want to make sure we are keeping an eye on this.

So, that's all for the update. Today, I am on day two of the prednisone taper. I am trying not to be Miss Piggy, realizing that all the food in the world will not make me feel less hungry. And I have yogurt, apples, strawberries, etc to hopefully help along the way. (But wouldn't pizza taste so much better?!)

Thanks again all.