Well into my third week...it hasn't been easy
I cannot believe I have not given up...or accepted my doctor's request to reduce the dosage of my Tecfidera and extend the transition period. But here I am in my third week and I am still here and I have learned somethings that work for me so my future is looking better...I think.
In the beginning I did get what I call flu like symptoms. The pharmacist confirmed this is a rare side affect. So instead of winning in Vegas I decided to get chills, fatigue and muscle aches. But this didn't last long, only a couple days and only for short periods through out my day or night. Far better then Betaseron. The last two days of the low dose twice a day I had no side affect at all except for the odd taste of metal that everything had.
The day I started my full dose was not a huge success. 4 hours after my first pill I had the most severe nausea. This lasted for 2 to 2 and a half hours and would occur just about 3 to 4 hours after each pill. Did not matter what I ate or drank or did...the nausea would come and with each pill the fatigue was coming back and increasing.
I was still on the 2 week bridge pack when the pharmacy finally called to setup my delivery of a full month supply. I had about 4 days left of the full dose week and they called during one of these nausea/fatigue attacks. After going through a long list of things I shouldn't do, they thought I should call my doctor to get some more medicine to help me through this. I thought I would just deal with it.
That night instead of waking up with nausea, I was woken up with the most gut-ripping pain I have ever felt. (yes, I have children). I didn't know if I should try to get out of bed or lay there and die. I opted to get out of bed. Not sure that was wise. I ended up on the floor. I could barely breath. The pain was high in my tummy and I was not bloated. I was sweating terribly bad though. I found myself in my bathroom, soaking in the bath crying so hard...hubby got me some benedryl and got me back to bed. It felt like this was 5 hours long... it all only lasted 25 minutes at most. But it sure did hurt. The next morning I called my doctor.
After talking with my doctor, we agreed with the medications I already take for the migraines, and unknown MS pain in my head (non migraine), adding more drugs would not be good on my system. This is when he suggested I cut down the dose and go slower. He felt my body was fighting the medication Tecfidera. I decided to go a different route and learn from the attacks and try to stay on course with the full dose.
I figured out that for me I needed to eat only a little fat with the pill then follow up with a full meal on top of the pill. But at the same time, I cannot eat within 5 hours of bedtime. I also figured out my bowls were not regular for me anymore as my attention was on the medication and not my body. So I had to get that back in line.
Since then this is my routine and I have not had one side effect. I get up at 6 am and eat something fatty like almonds, a yogurt...something quick...and I take my Tecfidera with my Zantac 150. Then I have time to make a full breakfast that does consist of protein, carb and fat. 2 hours later I take all other morning meds. I drink my freshly juiced glass of carrots, beets, apples and lemon.
Lunch is what ever I want which includes a glass of freshly juiced greens.
At 6 pm I once again grab some fat item and take that Tecfidera. Then dinner is made and I eat around 7. (Due to time hubby gets home). Other meds are taken 2 hours later.
Through out the day I never allow myself to get that hungry feeling. I always have almonds or crackers at my side. I drink at least 8 / 8 ounces of pure water in addition to anything else I want to drink through out the day and I do not touch soda or carbonated drinks at all. I control any bowl issues with my juicing and this is working incredibly well.
I have to say I am looking more forward now to the next three weeks.
In the beginning I did get what I call flu like symptoms. The pharmacist confirmed this is a rare side affect. So instead of winning in Vegas I decided to get chills, fatigue and muscle aches. But this didn't last long, only a couple days and only for short periods through out my day or night. Far better then Betaseron. The last two days of the low dose twice a day I had no side affect at all except for the odd taste of metal that everything had.
The day I started my full dose was not a huge success. 4 hours after my first pill I had the most severe nausea. This lasted for 2 to 2 and a half hours and would occur just about 3 to 4 hours after each pill. Did not matter what I ate or drank or did...the nausea would come and with each pill the fatigue was coming back and increasing.
I was still on the 2 week bridge pack when the pharmacy finally called to setup my delivery of a full month supply. I had about 4 days left of the full dose week and they called during one of these nausea/fatigue attacks. After going through a long list of things I shouldn't do, they thought I should call my doctor to get some more medicine to help me through this. I thought I would just deal with it.
That night instead of waking up with nausea, I was woken up with the most gut-ripping pain I have ever felt. (yes, I have children). I didn't know if I should try to get out of bed or lay there and die. I opted to get out of bed. Not sure that was wise. I ended up on the floor. I could barely breath. The pain was high in my tummy and I was not bloated. I was sweating terribly bad though. I found myself in my bathroom, soaking in the bath crying so hard...hubby got me some benedryl and got me back to bed. It felt like this was 5 hours long... it all only lasted 25 minutes at most. But it sure did hurt. The next morning I called my doctor.
After talking with my doctor, we agreed with the medications I already take for the migraines, and unknown MS pain in my head (non migraine), adding more drugs would not be good on my system. This is when he suggested I cut down the dose and go slower. He felt my body was fighting the medication Tecfidera. I decided to go a different route and learn from the attacks and try to stay on course with the full dose.
I figured out that for me I needed to eat only a little fat with the pill then follow up with a full meal on top of the pill. But at the same time, I cannot eat within 5 hours of bedtime. I also figured out my bowls were not regular for me anymore as my attention was on the medication and not my body. So I had to get that back in line.
Since then this is my routine and I have not had one side effect. I get up at 6 am and eat something fatty like almonds, a yogurt...something quick...and I take my Tecfidera with my Zantac 150. Then I have time to make a full breakfast that does consist of protein, carb and fat. 2 hours later I take all other morning meds. I drink my freshly juiced glass of carrots, beets, apples and lemon.
Lunch is what ever I want which includes a glass of freshly juiced greens.
At 6 pm I once again grab some fat item and take that Tecfidera. Then dinner is made and I eat around 7. (Due to time hubby gets home). Other meds are taken 2 hours later.
Through out the day I never allow myself to get that hungry feeling. I always have almonds or crackers at my side. I drink at least 8 / 8 ounces of pure water in addition to anything else I want to drink through out the day and I do not touch soda or carbonated drinks at all. I control any bowl issues with my juicing and this is working incredibly well.
I have to say I am looking more forward now to the next three weeks.
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