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@Busylizzie 

EditedLast reply

Busylizzie

Treatment decision

I was diagnosed in Jan 2024 with MS, I’m 48. I had my first appt with my MS nurse last week. As part of that we talked about treatment and he recommended Techfidera for me. I’ve never been a big taker of medication and so am scared about the potential nasty side effects. Mainly the risk of brain infection PML. I’m still coming to terms with the diagnosis and have adapted my diet by removing all processed food and increased by exercise, which is great. I feel the prospect of medication is making this all very real and scary. I’m scared to go on it and also scared not to and just rely on diet and exercise. Does anyone have any recent experience with Techfidera. My main MS symptoms so far have been weakness in my left leg/control of foot after 20-30 mins of walking, this started in August and has never gone away, also a lot of fatigue and brain fog. Fatigue is improved with yoga etc. I work full time as a secondary teacher. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks from sunny Edinburgh x
London, United Kingdom
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@Lowlander
@Lowlander
 

@Busylizzie Hi I've been using Tec for about 8 years with very few side effects after the first 4 months. The first couple of months you may get the trotts every now and then but it's manageable. Take one before breakfast and the other before evening meal. Don't stop and start taking them for days at a time if you can help it. Your bloods will be checked every 3 months at first to check for pml . Alas I'm changing to mayzent soon as Tec is no longer working as well for me. Wish you all the best.

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@AndreaG
@AndreaG
 

@Busylizzie All the drugs offered for MS come with side effects, however the more serious side effects are extremely rare, such as PML. The medical professionals have to inform you of all the possible side effects otherwise they would be very remiss in their treatment. You are going to be closely monitored, so if anything crops up your MS healthcare team can take care of it, and if you are not happy with your current drug option, you should be able to change it. I was petrified, I didn't have a clue when I was first diagnosed. Similar age to you. The DMTs are there for a reason, because diet and exercise don't deal with the damage your brain and spinal cord has sustained through the relapses. Yes, diet and exercise will help with any symptoms you may develop but the sooner you are on a DMT, the better. The DMT will either slow down, or stop, the relapses. No relapses, no further damage.

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