How soon after starting Tec did you have symptoms?

[hope32]

Just curious what the range is and if some answers are more common than others. If you've had symptoms, did they start the very first day? After starting the full dose? Or ... ?

[Lonilee]

I've had 3 pills

No real symptoms 120 3 pills 😋

[hope32]

That's great, Lonilee! Hope you continue to do well on it!

[emily06]

First pill

and I'm ready to quit. Just after 10 minutes I started feeling very dizzy - different from the other dizziness I have with MS. This is a more severe deeper dizziness. So I crawled to the sofa then within the next 20 minutes I had that look of being burnt in the sun; to itching; and feeling like certain limbs were on fire - not the usual MS sensation of being on fire but like actual flames coming from my feet then just my right hand. And within that time a slight feeling of nausea; and my whole head was encased in a headache - different from any other headache I've had.

After an hour the dizziness went away but only to return an hour later yet not quite as intense. So I'm guessing "things" will keep going on and off for sometime. I was ready to quit but I called my brother and told him about everything and he said well your talking so that's good. You can't stop taking this just think of how much worse it would be if you weren't on anything and your MS will get worse. So after my brother said all that I'll think about it.

[Marco]

Emily,
It will go better today and even better tomorrow. The first dose is normally the hardest. When you jump up to 240 mg you may see another jump in side effects that should also gradually subside. Most people do tolerate Tecfidera you just have to make it the first few weeks. Did you premedicate as instructed? Did you happen to call MSActiveSource about your symptoms? The nurses there are pretty good about talking you off the ledge.

hope,
Initially my side effects started within the first 30 minutes. Now they are random, but it's all manageable for me. I hope you do well on Tecfidera.

[Alicious]

I felt nothing on the 120, and on the 240 about a week in I had some flushing about every 5th pill (now i get pretty much none 4 months in), and I had stomach burning a week or two into 240, that I treat with Zantac.

[hope32]

That sounds rough, Emily. I'm sorry. Did you try pre-medicating with aspirin and taking it with food/fat, etc.? Your brother has a point, I know a lot of people are glad they pushed through and gave their bodies time to adjust, but that does sound like a tough reaction to the first pill.

[hope32]

Marco and Alicious, for some reason I didn't see your responses earlier, but thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[JBWInColorado]

3.5 hours since I took my very first 120mg... No s/e at all.