is suppressing the immune system risky?
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:35 am
My neuro has had me on CellCept, which suppresses the immune system, since August to help the Avonex which seems to not be enough as I keep having relapses and progressing disability. And now I've had one dose of Tysabri. Does the immunosuppressant increase the risk of problems with Tysabri (seems like the answer is yes) or with just Avonex alone? I've already asked and been allowed to stop the monthly pulse steroids she had also started me on because I didn't like the effect it was having on my facial skin. But when I mentionned stopping the CellCept months ago (after I became concerned after reading the warnings about lymphoma), she said she would find another immunosuppressant to add in its place. Is it risky, and if so, is it worth the risk? I'm currently scheduled to resume the CellCept 6 weeks after the Tysabri infusion date (CellCept had been stopped a week before the infusion).