I was SO looking forward to an MS medication that would NOT require injections. Happily there are a few new options that are in pill form. All of these medications have side effects. Some can damage your liver, others cause you to have a dangerous white blood cell count, or can effect your heart arrhythmia. After having a discussion or two with my Neurologist about what would be the best for me we decided I should try a new pill with less side effects than most others (at least less damaging). 40% of people experience moderate to severe flushing, 18% abdominal pain, 14% diarrhea, 12% vomiting, and the list continues. After reading these statistics I expected to experience flushing since such a high portion of people on the drug do. What I didn't anticipate or prepare myself for was the fact that I would experience all of these symptoms.
I began the drug at half the recommended daily dose and the plan was to taper up to full dose over a month. The flushing began immediately and was intense. My Neurologist told me to cut my dosage in half again - so I would technically be taking a fourth of what would eventually be my daily dose. I developed flu like symptons, nausea, upset stomach etc. It was January, so at first I didn't realize that I was experiencing stomach problems due to the medication. When I began throwing up and having severe stomach pains I decided to stop taking my pill. It seemed silly to me to be taking mediation that I would just throw up due to the flu bug I thought I had. My symptoms improved after a few days. I was feeling better so I took my medication before going to bed. The light came on and I had an ah ha moment the following day when my nausea and upset stomach came back with a vengeance. I could hardly make myself look at food - let alone eat. I tried to eat a few bites at meals, but it hurt so much and I was so nauseous. After a miserable day of fighting against the urge - I finally threw up the small amount of food I had eaten along with a small amount of blood. My mother and I decided that it was time to stop taking the Tecfidera and work to find another treatment that may help me. I was beyond disappointed! I had such high hopes that this would be my treatment answer!
Since that time I've been focusing on my overall health and wellness. I'm working toward a more healthy lifestyle. Eating better, trying to exercise more. I should say that although Tecfidera wasn't right for me, it is working well for other people in their own personal battles treating MS. I hope that at some point in the near future I won't need to try again to find a medication that I can tolerate. I don't want to have another episode and have to go in to the hospital for a steroid treatment. I really would love not to be on medication at all. I have met people with my disease who can control their outbreaks almost completely by living healthy lifestyles maintaining good nutrition and exercise. I just need to regroup and try to get myself in a healthy place. That is my current focus and challenge.
I began the drug at half the recommended daily dose and the plan was to taper up to full dose over a month. The flushing began immediately and was intense. My Neurologist told me to cut my dosage in half again - so I would technically be taking a fourth of what would eventually be my daily dose. I developed flu like symptons, nausea, upset stomach etc. It was January, so at first I didn't realize that I was experiencing stomach problems due to the medication. When I began throwing up and having severe stomach pains I decided to stop taking my pill. It seemed silly to me to be taking mediation that I would just throw up due to the flu bug I thought I had. My symptoms improved after a few days. I was feeling better so I took my medication before going to bed. The light came on and I had an ah ha moment the following day when my nausea and upset stomach came back with a vengeance. I could hardly make myself look at food - let alone eat. I tried to eat a few bites at meals, but it hurt so much and I was so nauseous. After a miserable day of fighting against the urge - I finally threw up the small amount of food I had eaten along with a small amount of blood. My mother and I decided that it was time to stop taking the Tecfidera and work to find another treatment that may help me. I was beyond disappointed! I had such high hopes that this would be my treatment answer!
Since that time I've been focusing on my overall health and wellness. I'm working toward a more healthy lifestyle. Eating better, trying to exercise more. I should say that although Tecfidera wasn't right for me, it is working well for other people in their own personal battles treating MS. I hope that at some point in the near future I won't need to try again to find a medication that I can tolerate. I don't want to have another episode and have to go in to the hospital for a steroid treatment. I really would love not to be on medication at all. I have met people with my disease who can control their outbreaks almost completely by living healthy lifestyles maintaining good nutrition and exercise. I just need to regroup and try to get myself in a healthy place. That is my current focus and challenge.