rawr_777

I'm in the process of trying to become vegetarian myself. Its partially for ethical (animal rights) reasons, and mostly for environmental reasons.

If you're considering making the change, I've found it pretty easy so far to take small baby steps. I started about a month ago, and I have only cut mammals from my diet (I no longer eat beef, pork, etc) but I will still eat birds and fish. I have found it to be an easy way to slowly adjust your diet - it also makes it a lot easier for your family to get used to the idea.

I lost a lot of my field on vision in my right eye temporarily. It's not black - just nothing. The 'circle' of stuff I could see in my right eye was just half that of the one for my left. I assume for blind people, that circle is zero.

It it really like trying to see with your elbow.

I'm starting it in a few weeks. It is covered as a first line treatment in the UK. In Quebec, it is covered by the public plan as a second line treatment with certain criteria. I don't think it's covered by the public plan in other provinces. I also know nothing about the American system.

The cost is 12000$ (cad) per vial. So a five day treatment costs 60000$ plus the cost of staff and equipment.

Edit: I live in Quebec. Everything about the UK is hearsay.

Thanks for the detailed response! They told me that the second IV is basically 'just in case'. Like, if I have a reaction and they have to administer something in an emergency, the drip is already set up - otherwise, its just saline. Hopefully, if the first day goes fine, that won't be necessary anymore. :s Also, now I'm hopeful that maybe I just misunderstood them!

You said you were unwell for three weeks. Did you go back to work following your infusion, or did you need to take additional time off? I'm supposed to be starting two new jobs in Sept, and it sounds like I'll be getting the infusion the week before. One I could easily delay, the other... not so much.

I was planning on bringing the laptop, and either working, or just using it to watch TV. :) Its really not the end of the world if I can't work, but it would be nice if I could. What's the brand name for methocarbamol? I'm in Quebec, so I might pick some up in advance if I can just get it over the counter.

Last question (maybe): Whenever I've had solumedrol, I've always had everything aken out and gotten re-poked every day. I assume this time I'll leave it in. What's it like having a thing in your arm all night? Does it make it hard to sleep or shower? Can you feel it? Does it hurt at all?

Thanks so much for doing this AMA! Its really great timing for me :)

Hey! Copaxone is useless for me (a lot of new lesions, relapses every 3 months) I'm starting Lemtrada in a few weeks. :) Is there anything I should prepare for that they didn't warn me about? I know the side effects (rash, headache, thyroid, blood, kidneys, etc), but I'm thinking about maybe little things that didn't make the list.

For example, if I brought a laptop with me, would I be able to work or do the IVs prevent mobility enough to make that infeasible (I'm going to have one in each arm).