[Kitty]

Originally Posted by barb02

Kelly -- Hoping that that you are able to tolerate the tecfidera and that it helps. I have been considering it.

Barb, it was very easy to get started. I have a Medicare supplement with Humana and between that, Medicare and the patient assistance it has not cost me anything.

I had to have some blood tests before my Neuro cleared me to begin. There was some initial ppwk done at his office but after all that was done it was easy.

The meds were shipped to me here at home.

So far it's been good. I do anticipate some s/e with the higher dosage but will deal with those as they happen....if they happen.

[JoanB]

I just passed the third week with occasional mild side effects that others have mentioned here. The thing I don't understand is why, if this drug is only for halting the progression of MS, some people talk about feeling better. Is it supposed to have other benefits besides just slowing down further damage?

[Kitty]

Joan, I'm under the impression it's just for halting progression. I haven't really felt any different except for that first dose, when I didn't eat before taking it, and had the intense flushing reaction.

Once you started on the full dose did you notice an increase in the side effects? I'm still on the first week dosage and as long as I eat first I get no flushing or any other side effects. I'm kind of apprehensive to begin taking two pills at a time next week.

[jprinz99]

Filled out my application for Tec co-pay assistance Tuesday. No phone call or letter from Biogen yet (crossing fingers, praying and hoping for approval).

Can anybody let me know approx how long it took to hear back from drug company? I did get a fancy pill holder yesterday from Tec - perhaps this is marketing or perhaps it bodes well??

[Kitty]

Jane, I filled out some initial ppwk at the Neuro's office. Someone called me about a week later stating that my blood work had "passed" and the financial assistance dept. would need to talk to me. They asked what my yearly income was....put me on hold for about three seconds......then came back on the line to tell me I was approved. Gave me the date I should expect my meds to be delivered and a phone number in case I had any questions after I received it.

I think alot of it has to do with your insurance company, too.

I got the fancy pill holder, too!

[JoanB]

Kitty, I had some stomach pain when I started taking the higher dose, but not too bad, and occasional flushing, again, not too bad. I've even taken it on an empty stomach, which is stupid, but I did it and paid for it.

I think it took about two weeks for the paperwork to go through for me too, and I also got the fancy pill holder. Tec is very sensitive to light, so you don't want to store it in any container that's clear or translucent. It doesn't have to be the one they send but it has to be airtight.

[jprinz99]

thanks for the heads up about pills and light/airtight needs - you learn something new every day, eh? Neuro's nurse said I would need to take an aspirin and eat 6ou. of fat containing food before each dose --- is this still correct?

I have a Humana Medicare Advantage PPO (no supplement, due to my age). I am "this close" to the donut hole. My neuro said Biogen had found some sort of "work around" solution for medicare patients re: patient assistance program. Hope the "work around" my neuro spoke about is doable for me.

Sounds silly, but I am a bit excited to be able to finally start fighting back at this disease's progression. It will be first my first MS med (other than stuff for symptom management) Since I could never afford the copays of 33% on Tier6/specialty drugs, I had convinced myself that I was okay with not taking a CRAB. Perhaps I just needed to tell myself that in order to stay sane

Wish me luck, cross your fingers, say a prayer and perform some rain dances that I get the drug

[Kitty]

I have the Humana prescription plan along with Medicare. I'm 53 and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the difficulty I've had trying to get a Medicare supplement.

I got the prescription coverage easily and it really helped with getting Tec. I also got a letter from Humana telling me that they prefer Avonex and want me to see if my Neuro will switch me. Ummmm, that's not gonna happen. I'm not doing needles again. I called the patient assistance number I was given for questions and they told me not to worry about it....I didn't have to switch.

I begin my full dose on Friday so we'll see how that goes. JoanB, I took my very first dose without eating and I will never do that again! Flushing and itching were intense! Jane, eating prior to taking Tec is a must for me. It needs to be something substantial....with some fat in it. As long as I eat first I have no side effects at all. Might be different with a full dose but we will see! I'm excited about this med!

[Frog42]

Originally Posted by Kitty

I got the prescription coverage easily and it really helped with getting Tec. I also got a letter from Humana telling me that they prefer Avonex and want me to see if my Neuro will switch me. Ummmm, that's not gonna happen.

If I had to guess I'd say that it would cost them less money.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Frog42

If I had to guess I'd say that it would cost them less money.

Absolutely! They're looking out for themselves totally. I'm not going back to the injectables.