Tecfidera v Lemtrada
Hi
I'm due to start Tecfidera in the next couple of weeks, but wonder whether I should be going at MS harder by starting with Lemtrada.
My neurologist is brilliant. I have absolute confidence in him. While I felt drawn to Lemtrada because of its higher effectiveness and the need to only take it annually, my neurologist didn't encourage me towards that option. My impression was that he didn't think the additional risk was necessary at this stage. But I'm starting to think that I'd rather take the risk of side effects than of relapses. I wonder whether I'm making a mistake not going for it with Lemtrada, and whether it's too late now to change my mind. My Tecfidera has been ordered and is due to be delivered next week.
Has anyone else with RRMS started with Lemtrada straight away? Was the decision based on the severity of lesion load or evidence of early or frequent relapses? What did your neurologist advise?
I'd welcome hearing from anyone with related advice.
I started on Tecfidera 12 weeks ago after 23 years on Beta Inferon, but when I started on that there was no choice so at least you have that these days! Seriously though all today's dmt's are designed to hit ms hard and fast. Only you can decide, but isn't it better to keep something back just in case? <Edited> As a rule your ms nurse and dr know what they're talking about, but find out all you can. I have only had minor side effects in the first couple of weeks but we are all so different.😍
I was on tecfidera. Side effects were not worth mentioning. It didn’t help me. For me, if I really had a choice, I wish I did things differently. But everyone is different. Tysabri is a very effective. JC virus is the only limitation. Ocrevus is almost as good and is only needed once every 6 months. Cladribine if you can get it. Not approved in USA. Lemtrada puts many into long term remission. But you may end up taking a pill every day for your thyroid. Small price to pay I think. None of these options were offered. I’m bitter about it.