@RedMikeย 

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RedMike

Newbie to the group saying hello with questions ๐Ÿ‘‹

Hi all, I'm new to this group and have only just joined today. So here's a little about my MS journey. My name is Mike. I'm 42 from the UK and was diagnosed with RRMS in 2012. I was not on any meds after diagnosis in 2012 till a big relapse with blurred eyes (Optic Neuritis) in 2014 which lasted for 8 weeks till it settled down. That same year I then went onto my first DMT Copaxone. I got on well with Copaxone and it weren't until September 2019 that I then switched over to Aubagio, due to site reactions from the injections. I've been fine on Aubagio until January of this year, when sensory symptoms of pins and needles in both front thighs, feet and torso kicked in and has still hung around since. Some slight weakness and balance issues too. I have since had another MRI in March this year which shows evidence of more lesions ๐Ÿ˜” (bearing in mind that my last check up MRI was in 2016, so 5 years ago). To add to that, in the last 3 weeks I have had another bout of blurred eyes and am currently off sick from work. I work in IT so eyes are kinda key for what I do! The outcome of discussions from my last MRI results is that my Neuro has suggested I now come off Aubagio (after a bout of not very nice tasting drinks I'm told, to get it fast tracked out of my system, can't wait for that!) then move onto Level 2 treatment as Aubagio clearly isn't working for me. She has proposed 3 different meds - Ocrevus, Fingolimod or Mavenclad. Thats my story in a nutshell upto present day. Sorry for the lengthy message, and thanks for taking the time to read! A couple of questions if I may. Out of the 3 proposed meds, they look a little scary to me reading potential side effects. But the one I'm veering more towards is Mavenclad. Does anyone have any experience on this DMT? My Neuro has prescribed me Gabapentin too, which she advised will help with the pins and needles symptoms. Again, does anyone have any experience with Gabapentin? Thank you so much all, glad to be part of the community ๐Ÿ™‚
@SarahJH

Hi Mike - I read your post and I am surprised you werenโ€™t on any meds after diagnosis. If I May ask, was that your choice or the doctor did not offer anything like a DMT? I have been on a number of them since 2005. Copaxone for a longtime and those site reactions were terrible. Currently on Ocrevus. Have never been on either Mavenclad or Gabapentin sorry canโ€™t speak to those.

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@Vixen
ย 

Hi @RedMike and welcome to Shift! Of the three DMD you mention, Ocrevus - being the newest and shiniest - seems to show the most promise. It's only been approved here for two years. My understanding of Gabapentin is that it's great for some and works a treat, but not much effect with others. So you've nothing to lose by giving it a go! By the way, what's the 'red' bit....hair colour, politics or temper? :-) :-)