Natalizumab and Weakness: What Users Say

• EH1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2015

Natalizumab for Multiple Sclerosis "I am 47 years old. I was diagnosed with MS in March 2013. I was started on Tysabri in August 2014 as I had a relapse while I was on Gilenya in June 2014. The year I was on Tysabri was the most awful year in my life. I had increasing fatigue, on & off weakness in my arms and legs. I had pain in my knees which became severe and progressive in the last 2 months. I have been off work for 2 months now. I only walk inside the house but rarely outside. I had to stay away from all social commitments in the last 2 months."

• Flo...
• November 28, 2019

Natalizumab for Multiple Sclerosis "Copaxone was the first medication for two years, after the 2015 definitive diagnosis of MS, but had horrible injection site side effects and more lesions. The first two infusions I felt good and some of my symptoms had eased since I had a relapse while off meds. The fifth infusion I had chills and fever for a few days, and that hasn’t happened again. The worst side effect experienced is tiredness for several days and sometimes chills. I use a cane from time to time for balance and weakness. I won’t know if Tysabri is working until the February MRI and am hopeful for no new lesions. This medication is better than all the horrible injections. I do get depression after as well, but take a low-dose antidepressant, which has helped very much. I am JC negative. It is good to know after reading reviews that I am not the only one who experiences tiredness after infusions. My neurologist’s PA said she hasn’t heard of anyone with side effects."

• hen...
• June 1, 2021

Natalizumab for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I accepted using Tysabri, then 5 days after infusion, I woke up with my right index finger swollen, tender, and weak. In my eighty years, I've never had any joint issue. X-ray negative. Side effects show 19% of arthralgia with Tysabri, what I have feels more than arthralgia. Sam, board certified in pediatrics and anesthesia, did two different training. I wish I said NO."

• mur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 10, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Tysabri for 7 months. I think, at first, I would be extremely agitated, tired, and weak. By around month 4, I started getting pain in the top of my right hip. I have never experienced pain so unbelievably intense, if it was even just slightly touched, I would drop to the ground in utter agony. I began to slur my words and became emotionally unstable. Tysabri seems to give me a much larger amount of MS, which is annoying because they told me it had the least side effects and was by far the most effective. Glad to hear it helps other sufferers, though. It's under PBS in Australia, so they would only sting me for $37.50 a treatment."