My one year anniversary of taking Gilenya occurred in May, but my first MRI results and latest blood test since beginning treatment occurred only recently. Multiple Sclerosis can be a very unpredictable disease, but prior to treatment with Gilenya I averaged 2 – 3 relapses per year. My neurologists have told met hat the average gap between relapses is 18 months which I have never achieved. However, I am getting closer every day as this is the longest relapse-free period I have ever had since diagnosis. My Gilenya test results during my last office visit were overwhelmingly positive.
novartis
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Gilenya Results After One Year On Gilenya
Happy anniversary to me! One year ago today I took my first dose of Gilenya. My heart rate waxed and waned that day, but in the 12 months since my life has steadily improved. I don’t expect roses today, but I am ecstatic that the drug is working for me. Until this time last year, I was in a pattern of a relapse every few months. I have now been relapse-free for one year and counting! So far, Gilenya results have been fantastic.
I began the journey secretly hopeful that I might be one of those few people who miraculously have so many of their lesions shrink and heal on Gilenya, but I was also reasonable. Most of my damage is well over a year old, and most neurologists will tell you to stop expecting any improvement after one year. May 5 2011, deep down I believed that I was stuck with what I had in spite of any contradictory fantasies.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Gilenya Followup – YES! I Can Continue Taking Gilenya!
On The Pill!
YES! At my Gilenya followup today I learned that blood tests confirm I can continue Gilenya!
Although my current neurologist isn’t a fan of letting his patients view any of their test results I stole my paperwork for a quick read during the 3 hour wait to see him.
What I read initially sent me into a panic.
- Page 1: My immune system has been decimated. I am one germ away from sudden death.
- Pages Everything Else: Greek.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Fingers Crossed As I Experience Gilenya Side Effects
Several months have passed since I began taking Gilenya on May 5. Today I’m focusing on the drug’s possible side effects and how I have personally been affected. The good news is that I seem to be mostly fine so far. In spite of this year’s gloomy start with 2 separate attacks within it’s first few months, I have had no attacks since beginning this treatment. In hindsight I really do feel that Rebif, and probably interferons in general, are just not right for my body. Now that I have begun the drug I have started to focus on Gilenya side effects.
With my Gilenya followup appointment looming in a couple of weeks, I’ll soon find out if Gilenya suits me in the long run. As you can see, I do have my fingers crossed!
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: First Month On Gilenya
My first month on Gilenya has passed.
As a treatment, everything with Gilenya has been going well. Downsides are that I’m a bit drowsy sometimes and a bit cold (both seem so random). Sleep is very difficult. My skin is definitely more sensitive than usual, especially to sunlight which I didn’t think was possible.
Gilenya is rumored to possibly heal previous damage from MS attacks. For my part, I have no idea if Gilenya is healing any damage considering how badly I react to heat and this summer has been brutal.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: First Dose Of Gilenya
Gilenya: The Pill Of Things To Come
Will and I spent most of last night in a smoky club in Charlotte. Getting to bed at about 4:30 am not the best way to spend the evening before my first dose of Gilenya.
It has been a bumpy road to get to the first dose. I completed a variety of tests to qualify, endured a prolonged and painful exacerbation brought on by the stress, and fought my insurance company for coverage.
I spent today in my neurologist’s office hooked up to heart monitors and trying to stay awake. I read, slept, and exercised to bring up my heart rate. For the most part, it went alright.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Insurance And Gilenya
Money Money Money!
Typical Insurance Business Model = Avoid Providing Service? I’ve glimpsed the battle between insurance and Gilenya.
Several weeks ago I got the call from Novartis that I had been rejected by my insurance for Gilenya. When I ask why, she reads to me “Cost exceeds limit per patient. No further review.” My insurance coverage has no limit on the cost of a prescribed medication – it is technically covered and my insurance company has just chosen not to.
Within seconds, I began an exacerbation. For the last few weeks I have been experiencing something that is commonly called “The MS Hug.” I can’t print the things I call it in my head. At its worst, it’s the kind of pain you don’t want to live through.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: The Gilenya Approval Tests Begin!
The battery of tests begins!
Some good news in my quest to start Gilenya – which is really starting to feel like a quest for the holy grail. I’ve written previously about my hopes for Gilenya and of my frustrations with the slow process. On the day I ceased Rebif I also saw a gastroenterologist for my elevated liver enzymes. The tally so far is $800 for the consult, $600 for the results, and forthcoming bills for some blood tests and an abdomenal ultrasound. Results are that I am clear of all liver diseases – he seemed disappointed. With the liver investigation closed, I am set to begin the Gilenya approval tests required by my neurologist, by my insurance provider, and by Novartis.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Gilenya Process Speedbumps
Tick Tock, Gilenya, Tick Tock
Almost two weeks ago I posted that I was in the process of switching to Gilenya. Not so fast, I suppose. My neurologist’s office staff was eager for me to let Gilenya set up all of my doctor appointments for me to undergo the necessary tests. By their accounts they faxed in my information the morning I was in their office, and then a few days later when they hadn’t heard anything back. And then again when I called them after a very unproductive phone call with Gilenya. With such a new drug, I should have expected Gilenya process problems.
Several months ago I switched positions within the company to work in a 24/7 network surveillance group. We rotate weekends, leaving me with a “weekend” during the week for a month here and there. I had hoped that I could use these days to get through all of my doctor appointments this month. But the opportunity to accomplish that is rapidly vanishing.
Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Switching To Gilenya!
As it turns out, similarly to my father’s results with Avonex, Rebif has caused my liver enzymes to shoot up to about 3X the upper limit of normal in the span of slightly less than 2 years. My options?
1) Tysabri : the risk of PML is too severe for me to brave this drug – reputed to be a risk of death or severe disability as high as 1 in 200 for some individuals and 1 in 2000 for others
2) Copaxone : statistically slightly less effective than interferons – works great for my father but I truly don’t want to do a daily injection except as a last resort
3) Gilenya : aka Fingolimod – when this was approved by the FDA I wrote a blog post to summarize all the information I could find – it is the only oral disease modifying drug for Multiple Sclerosis – DING! DING! DING!
I have chosen to switch to Gilenya.
