The Tecfidera, medication for multiple sclerosis, commercial will soon be permanently off the air. The commercial received quite a bit of negative attention from MS patients. I know a lot of people believe the commercials were misleading.
I don't blame Biogen for showing the best-case scenario considering that's what all commercials do. Every wireless carrier, vehicle, toothbrush and toilet paper is the best and makes life easier/better. There are people that have zero side effects on Tecfidera and have little to no MS-related disabilities.
The problem with the Tecfidera commercials is it reinforced a stereotype that ALL MS patients could be doing wonderful if they would take the medication. That causes people in our lives to try and "help us" by suggesting Tecfidera, diet X, supplement Y or procedure Z.
I personally used the commercial as a starting point when people would ask me about it. It gave me an opportunity to raise MS awareness and hopefully reduce some of our stereotypes.
I took Tecfidera for over 2 years and would still be on the medication if not for unwanted side effects.I am still a believer in Tecfidera and believe it is serving many patients extremely well. That said, all MS medications perform relatively poorly, especially when you consider the exorbitant costs.
Hang in there ... we're another day closer to a real cure.
I don't blame Biogen for showing the best-case scenario considering that's what all commercials do. Every wireless carrier, vehicle, toothbrush and toilet paper is the best and makes life easier/better. There are people that have zero side effects on Tecfidera and have little to no MS-related disabilities.
The problem with the Tecfidera commercials is it reinforced a stereotype that ALL MS patients could be doing wonderful if they would take the medication. That causes people in our lives to try and "help us" by suggesting Tecfidera, diet X, supplement Y or procedure Z.
I personally used the commercial as a starting point when people would ask me about it. It gave me an opportunity to raise MS awareness and hopefully reduce some of our stereotypes.
I took Tecfidera for over 2 years and would still be on the medication if not for unwanted side effects.I am still a believer in Tecfidera and believe it is serving many patients extremely well. That said, all MS medications perform relatively poorly, especially when you consider the exorbitant costs.
Hang in there ... we're another day closer to a real cure.
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