getting ready to start tecfedera and afraid also

[rscottbaby]

i will be starting this medication week after next. i wanted to wait unitl in went on vacation. i am afraid to because of the side effects. please help me out

[Alicious]

Most people have mild side effects, if any. Me? Pretty much nothing. I've turned red a few times, and I take an antacid with the med, but otherwise wouldn't know I'm on it.

It is metabolized very quickly, and actually leaves your body within hours (you breathe it out.). So, if you hate it, it's out of your system before you know it.

Chances are, you'll do just fine. People are far more likely to post when they have a severe reaction, so there is a disproportionate number of those posts. Of course they should absolutely post because they need help on reassurance. Unfortunately, it also leaves a lot of scary posts for people waiting to try the med.

I think you'll be just fine but I agree, it's worrisome to start a new med.

[Siri]

It's a GREAT idea to wait so you can enjoy your vacation with no worries! I hope you have a wonderful time.

Hopefully, you will be fine! It really helped me to read all the helpful tips from this message board. Many of the side effects are minor and you might just breeze through.

Just remember that starting this drug is NOWHERE NEAR as scary as hearing your diagnosis. You made it though that and here you are taking a proactive step in helping your self! Good luck!

[jessiesmom]

My Tecfidera Experience

I have been on Tecfidera for about 3 months. Like you, I waited until after I went on vacation to start taking the pills. I had been on Rebif for almost 7 years. You never know how you will react to a new medication and I didn't want to take any chances of being away from home in a remote area with difficult access to medical help. My neurologist was fine with that.

My doctor had me take the 120mg dose for two weeks rather than Biogen's recommended one week. I then went up to the 240mg dose and have been on that ever since.

With the lower dose pills I think I did really well. I did have the flushing that the literature describes but it went away within 30 minutes after it started - so no big deal to me. It wasn't worth taking Benadryl. I did also have some gastrointestinal issues. No cramping or pain but I did have diarrhea several times. Immodium took care of that problem. I also had a few bouts of nausea/vomiting, but again it did not rise to the level that anti-nausea meds were necessary.

Currently I still occasionally get the flushing but that is about it. It sure beats injections 3 times a week! I realize that I have been very fortunate. Some people who have posted here have had significant issues with side effects.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. You can do this.

[hope32]

The others have given great advice.

I can understand being scared; I was a mix of excited (to finally have one of the oral drugs my dr promised me when I was first starting DMDs!) and apprehensive, after reading the scary stories and some people's miserable experiences. Also, I only have one IRL friend with MS ... and she started Tec and quit because of S/E's! (Though I'm not sure if she was on here or otherwise got good advice about how to try to minimize those.)

Anyhow, I'm on day 6 and so far it's been pretty good and WAY better than shots! I know that could change at any time but I say do your research, follow the advice from this board and see how it goes. You can always go back off if the side effects aren't tolerable for you. Let us know how it goes!

[emily06]

Anyone having dizziness?

This isn't my normal MS dizziness. I started having this new degree of dizziness right away (first pill). Anyone else having dizziness? And what are you doing to overcome that? Help!

[REG53]

Hope you have a great vacation and wishing you the best with Tec.