Tecfidera and effects
Hi all,
Having plucked up the courage I am now in Wk 4 of Tec. To my surprise and delight I have mercifully not (yet!) experienced any of the typical Gastro and flushing side effects. BUT I can't decide if it's my imagination or not, and I feel my MS-type symptoms have become a bit more prevalent; I haven't been diagnosed long and so have yet to understand what 'normal' feels like. No new symptoms but I feel my walking might be a bit affected. So aside from the listed expected side effects, does anyone have any experience of effects beyond the norm? Would really appreciate your guidance and experiences!
@vixen , I wouldn't get too concerned by this slight dip in your MS symptoms. When you introduce a new medication into your body, your body's first reaction is to activate your immune system to deal with it. That is, until it decides that the new medication is harmless. But, our immune systems are already compromised and any activation will make our MS symptoms deteriorate. This is a "pseudo-exacerbation", i.e. not a real relapse, and this deterioration should return to "our normal" when the immune system quietens down again. You've been fortunate with the side effects though. :)
I was diagnosed second half of 2016, and have just started with the same treatment. If I could figure out how to message you I would as it's nice to be in touch with someone at the same kind of stage as myself. I am feeling rather down today, but can't blame the pills for that! I am headachey and tired as I am most days, it does my head in can't pinpoint what is MS, what is hormones, what is me. x