Starting Tec ....

[tl-tr3]

After years of enduring the lumps and itching from Copaxone, I asked for an oral med. My first choice was Gilenya because of once daily , even with all the testing that went along with it- but Neuro disqualified me fairly quickly due to a hearbeat issue and a medication I can't stop. So Tecfidera was the one he suggested and after some investigating on my part I've decided to give it a try.
Truthfully after reading all the negative effects on this forum I am really scared , but I realize not every side effect happens to everyone.

I can't feel worse than I feel now though. That's my big fear.
Any words of wisdom people can share ?
Like don't do ? LOL ( I haven't received the med yet)
or do it ! It's so better that the shots.........( I had large itchy ;sometimes baseball size bumps from Copaxone)

[AlaskaAnn]

Ti...I am right beside you waiting for my pills so I can start. This May or may not be the answer but I am willing to give it a try. It isn't going to cure my ms but maybe hold off while I wait for one to be created. That is what I am aiming for.

I am trying to learn from what everyone is willing to share here realizing that the majority of people sharing are only those with side affects as those with no side affects aren't bothering to visit the site let alone post. I also am trying to pay as much attention to the environment and activities of those taking the drug as those things can have just as much affect just because the drug is there as the drug itself...that makes sense in my head, not so much in print.

My point is, learn while you go through the process of getting the drug, and do not ever give up on yourself. Even if someone else, if every one else here has terrible side affects, it doesn't mean you will. But, you could, so you should learn. Just learn.

The great thing about Tec is you can stop it and it is gone...unlike a lot of the other stuff out there. So good luck, head strong, heart warm, brain alive....all the best.

** Moderator's note - Post broken into paragraphs for easier reading. Many people with MS have visual difficulties that prevent them from reading large blocks of print. **

[hope32]

Try it!! It's definitely worth a try. The majority of patients who try Tec end up staying on it (so far! ). I hated Copaxone and wasn't wild about Betaseron either. Overall so far I'm pretty happy with Tec by comparison.

The best tips seem to be:
* Premedicate with aspirin and either Zantac, Prevacid or Prilosec. A probiotic is smart to add as well.
* Take Tec with a full meal (I take it with breakfast and dinner) that includes fat, carb, and protein. i.e. for breakfast every day I have two fried eggs and some shredded cheddar on a whole wheat sandwich thin. My dinners tend to be mostly lean protein and veggies but I add a little carb to that meal too.
* Some of us have had good luck with increasing the dose more slowly. i.e. one 120mg 1x/day for several days, then 2x/day, then 120mg in the morning and 240mg in the evening for several days, etc. on your way up to the full 240 twice a day.
* Don't plan much for your first couple of days and, if possible, first few weeks on Tec just to be on the safe side. You'll probably be fine but for me I didn't want the stress of having to cancel plans at the last minute if I was feeling sick or whatever.

[tl-tr3]

Thanks .... Hope32

I read thru your diary of starting for 6weeks or so and found it very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post that.

I don't have much time I can take off work, ( boss doesn't know DX) but I think I can take at least 3 or 4 days.

I am so tired of the shots, and worrying about how long that lump will stay there and look red & swollen, it would be so nice to just swallow a pill and be done with shots.

Thanks!

[Mkc3031]

I've been on Tec for 8 months now, and knock wood, no side effects at all. Even when I began, no side effects. I do normally take Benadryl for my allergies every day and I take Advil everyday also, have for years. Good luck and God bless.

[tl-tr3]

MKC

Thanks, absolutely wonderful to hear and gives me hope.
I am already on a GI med but the Neuro said my dose may need adjusting.
Since I have GI issues already I'm not sure how aspirin will work for me.
I realize you probably don't have to take it a long time.
Thank you for your positive feedback, I wish you continued good days ahead

[abck05]

TL,

Remember that you are not alone. I started the full dosage of Tec about a week ago and other and some tingling and little flushing, I have been doing okay. Yesterday, I skipped taking the Zantac (i had run out) and had not GI problems. The only advice I can offer is to listen to your body and that to track yourself for the first few days on what you eat and take. That might help you figure our triggers if you have a side effect.

Many hugs to you,

[Toomnyhats]

I chose to not pre-medicate before my first dose, other than probiotics, so I would know what specific OTC meds I needed. For me I don't need any.

I ate carbs/fat/protein with my pill (toast with peanut butter is good) to minimize GI issues & continue to do so. It has worked well for me. I'm too chicken to now try taking the pill without eating, although I understand others have been successful in doing that.

I've had mild itching & flushing. I did have one day of stomach issues, but I think it was more a 24-hr flu bug than the meds.

The fatigue the first few weeks is what really kicked my hinney! I was ssoooo happy that finally went away

Thankfully the s/e have been minimal. I would like to stay on this until a cure is found!