Hi i had to stop gilenya for 1 year and i had 3 relapses. The biggest one towards the end of the year. With luck 3 months would be just right. I started relapsing just after 3 months (they call it rebound effect) not everybody experience this. Tell the doctor if you have any symptoms during 3 months. I had to stop because some parameter in the liver fuction test were high. And they just stopped it with no alternative therapy. I got pretty upset because they know the immune system needs to be suppressed but because i was doing so well then they thought they could stop it!!! I managed to go back to fingolomod but 1/2 dose bacause of lymphocytes going too low with the full dose, but it was never the same. Now after 3 years back on fingolimod i am going down and it is so frustating. Keep aware of all new symptoms speak to doctor if sth bad start happening they might be able to start before 3 months. Take care. Xxxx

Hi Leannee411, I came across your post and had to comment as I'm kind of going through the same thing. I was on Gilenya for two years, doing pretty well on it with no relapse until a few months ago. So after deciding that Lemtrada was the way to go, I stopped taking the Gilenya right away. I was at a 0.4 lymphocyte count when I stopped but they told me the washout period would still take about 6-8 more weeks to get back to 1, and then they can start infusing. I just had a major relapse/rebound and it hasn't been even a full 4 weeks since stopping. So they measured my lymphocytes and the count was at 1.1, after only a month!! I've recovered with steroids and have been approved to start Lemtrada now... So I guess what I want to say is stay on top of it, get the blood work done and be aware of symptoms because washout may not take as long as they say it will! Gluck! Manny