@badda , any Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) is an investment for the future. Their use is to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses.

Having residual sensory issues, short term memory issues and fatigue are something that we learn to live with, with some medical assistance.

As far as double vision is concerned, ask to be referred to an optometrist (I believe that's their name). They can re-educate your eyes with the use of prisms, which they reduce in strength over time, to train the eyes.

I know, as they helped me out. 

I have a prism on my glasses but I wasn't told to go back to get the strength reduced. Thank you for your help. 

@badda , I would hope that you have a follow up appointment for a few weeks/ couple of months hence when they can review the strength of the prisms.......

I have tecfidera but haven't yet started it as I'm full of a cold and really want to get the flu jab before I start. My main symptom I would say is pain at the moment, however at my last appointment I was informed that tec will not improve it and may even make it worse! 

The DMTs unfortunatey will not make symptoms of MS go away but tec reduces inflammation which may help give your body a chance to heal and in turn reduce some symptoms....well that is what I hope for anyway! X

Well today I tried to get an appointment for my prism.  I called my local hospital, the secretary is on holiday.  I called the private hospital where I originally got the prisms (they didn't know I had MS then, I was covered by insurance because of my double vision).  This appointment would cost £70 plus room charge.  I then called the next hospital.  I need to be referred by my GP.  I called my GP's secretary, she is unavailable.  I called the local optician.  They couldn't help due to the busy lunchtime.  This is so frustrating!!!!!

@badda , Primarily, discuss the situation with your MS Nurse and ask them to arrange a referral for you. If you get any problems, then make an appointment with your GP as they're your primary care provider.

It is frustrating, we have an incurable condition, so why do these medical professionals apply a sticking plaster and then wash their hands!

Hi Badda

I've been on Tecfidera for 9 months now and for me its been a game changer.

It took about three months for me to adjust to taking the medication,(very mild stomach cramps, bloating , etc) but since then it has been a walk in the park. I did have about three episodes of flushing but I learn't that if I took the tablet without food I would flush. With food I would be ok.

Anyway, since month three, I have seen big improvements in my vision, I used to get really bad floaters in both my eyes and now I dont really get any. I would get the odd annoying twitch in my left with the feeling of something stuck in my eye but that has gone.

I was having quite a big issue with my right leg with stiffness and mobility issues but this seems to have almost dissapeared. I was really struggling to walk up stairs to the bathroom nine months ago ut now I am back to walking my dog for a couple of miles at weekends.

I feel so on top of my MS that at times I often forget that I have been diagnosed with it. Tecfidera has been and continues to be good for me and I hope that I can remain  it for as long as possible. 







@ruggermad thanks for your comments.  This has helped me a lot!

Hi @badda, I've been on tec for 3 weeks now and after some initial worrying depression and minor ailments things have suddenly improved. 

Like @ruggermad I have problems with my eyes so I'm very pleased to read about the changes there! It does have a very good profile - the only issue is that it's 2 pills a day so it reminds me that I'm ill. 

From what I'm experiencing and have read you're lucky to be on this one so early. Good luck!

@orlando27 , it's a phrase that suggests that the minimum effort is made before dismissing you as fixed!

@ruggermad and @pinkie.  Did either of you have double vision?

@orlando27 , you may think it's curious and you'd be right. I call it sardonic. lol

Yup, @badda, twice. 1st time in 1992 then in 2010 that led to my diagnosis. Each time 5 days then it disappeared.... so it's one of my classic symptoms.

You are not alone :-)

@pinkie I've had double vision since June this year :(. But good news, the Tecfidera has just been approved!

@badda, I have been on Tecfidera for a year this month. I would say it is a great improvement from Avonex, which I was on for 2 years. With Avonex, I never recovered for the flu-like symptoms and I had serious muscle aches all the time. when I changed to Tecfidera, I experienced the stomach cramps, bloating, flushing and itching for 3 weeks. this has since subsided. I still get the occasional itching on my face and arm but it only lasts a few minutes.....I noticed that it happens each time I take a hot/warm drink after an hour or so of taking the meds.  I have however improved a lot healthwise, i.e, no more muscle pain except occasionally when I exert myself. I used to have pins and needles all over my body when I walk, they have subsided too. I have even started my favourite pastime: jogging which I hadn't been able to do for 4 years.

I have however noticed that I'm getting colds a lot, which I never did, probably to do with the drug suppressing the immune system. I'm otherwise happy with the drug so far. Hopefully this helps, all the best of luck.



@orlando27  a sticking plaster is a band -aid.  Stick a band-aid on it & call it good.  



So how's it going, @badda? Have your eyes settled down at all? I had a relapse with a bout of iritis a couple of weeks ago, but I'm soldiering on with the BG12. I really hope I can stay off the injections ... but if tecfidera isn't good for eyes, then I'm a bit stuffed.

Good luck to us all, now nights are drawing in ... ;-)

Julie

Hi @pinkie.  Well I'm now on the higher dosage of Tecfidera, can't say I feel any different but I think I have to give it time.  I can't stop itching though!!!!

The prism on my eyes has gone down from a 10 to a 9.  The optomotrist said if my eyes stay stable for 3 months I may be able to have an operation to strengthen the eye muscles, fingers crossed!

Hope you are feeling better after your relapse x

Hey @badda
Sorry about the silence - the countryside may be stress-free and relaxing, but the Internet is shocking! 

Sorry to hear your eyes hadn't instantly recovered after tecfidera, mine haven't either :-( But i have no side effects - so maybe it isn't doing anything! 

I've been soldiering on though and have started doing Pilates to help my balance. Takes my mind off my dodgy eye too !! Is your balance ok?

I hope your eyes have got a bit better now - i only went x eyed for 5 days and was a right pain ....

Here's hoping,

Julie x

I am waiting for Tecfidera to be approved for me.  

Could anyone let me know if it helps them and what it has helped.  

I have double vision, pins and needles, fatigue, memory problems.  Will the medicine help any of these problems?

Thanks!