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@ScarletClarke 

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ScarletClarke

Ocrevus side effects?

Hello all! I had my first relapse in January and my MRI showed some new changes, so they have changed my medication and I have my first dose of Ocrevus on the 8th of June. I was previously on Plegridy and would react quite badly for 24 hours after the injection - body aches, joint stiffness, headaches, fatigue. I was just wondering what peoples experiences of side effects after Ocrevus are as all of the websites are pretty vague. To be honest I am happy to cope with anything as side effects every six months is much better than every two weeks, but I’m just curious!
6
@lemon
@lemon
 

I felt unwell for 2 weeks after the first half doses so a month in total but I've heard this is pretty uncommon. Next dose 6 months later was absolutely fine, apart from the fact I couldn't sleep the night after due to steroids they give you before the infusion. Good luck with it, hope it goes well for you x

@Luna_2020
@Luna_2020
 

I started out my MS treatment with Copaxone. Sadly, I ended up with a couple of relapses while I waited to see if it would be helpful for the first year. Shifted to Ocrevus in 2019. One of the weird side effects I had during my infusion for the first couple was that my heart would randomly start racing. I was wearing a FitBit, which isn't 100% accurate for heart rate but gives an idea, and I went from a normal resting rate of around 62-64 bpm to 130ish bpm without moving or getting up. I told the nurses about this and one thing that I found helped was running the saline wide open. The racing heart rate also happens to me after the infusion, it's fairly random but it is manageable. Aside from that, I've had fatigue, headaches, nausea, etc. for a week or more after my infusions. I know all of that sounds pretty crappy, but I've had zero relapses since I started Ocrevus, and to me... it's worth the price. I also think I may be a bit more of an exception than the rule when it comes to side effects. I've heard lots of others who are completely normal after their first couple! Don't let my experience deter you!