Prof G discusses the case for using ocrelizumab as an induction therapy followed by teriflunomide maintenance therapy. This is how he envisages using the class of anti-CD20 therapies in the future.
When i asked my MS nurse about whether my b-cell levels could be tested, the reply that i received was 'there is no test for this'. If i was a patient at Barts, i would be confident that i was receiving the best care possible. However, the reality is different for the majority. How does one go about requesting for their CD19 levels to be checked, possibly multiple times for the purpose of reaching the magical figure?
I suggest doing it at 3-monthly intervals 6 months after your last dose of ocrelizumab. It is actually a very standard immunology test and most hospitals provide this as part of a profile that also quantifies CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell numbers.
Thank you. It is a shame that everything needs to be such a battle. I am all for patient led decision making but you would expect some help / assistance from the trained experts in deciding on treatment strategies / vaccine response etc. Without the blog newletters, i would be lost at sea
The retrospectoscope is an easy to use medical instrument!
When i asked my MS nurse about whether my b-cell levels could be tested, the reply that i received was 'there is no test for this'. If i was a patient at Barts, i would be confident that i was receiving the best care possible. However, the reality is different for the majority. How does one go about requesting for their CD19 levels to be checked, possibly multiple times for the purpose of reaching the magical figure?
I suggest doing it at 3-monthly intervals 6 months after your last dose of ocrelizumab. It is actually a very standard immunology test and most hospitals provide this as part of a profile that also quantifies CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell numbers.
Thank you. It is a shame that everything needs to be such a battle. I am all for patient led decision making but you would expect some help / assistance from the trained experts in deciding on treatment strategies / vaccine response etc. Without the blog newletters, i would be lost at sea