[sabendro]

I was enrolled last week in the Tecfidera program by my neurologist. He sent the script to my specialty pharmacy who is working to get insurance approval. Luckily, I work for a large hospital that is self-insured so I think it may end up being a very small copay if any. I do know Biogen has accepted me in teh $10 copay program if I need it.

I'm very excited about Tecfidera! My neuro and I have been watching it for the pat 18 months, reading everything, doing loads of research... and impatiently waiting for the FDA...

I look forward to hearing what you all think about it. New meds are always a a bit scary. I was on Copaxone for 18 months then quit. I haven't been on any DMD's for the past 18 months. I'm grateful there haven't been any major issues.

The real trouble with reality is that there's no background music. -Unknown

[karilann]

My specialty pharmacy told me to take aspirin 20 mins before the pill and then chew a couple Tums. This is just to help lessen the two most common side affects; flushing and GI upset.

The pharmacy just rec'd my script today.
I've been taking Chantix (for a relapse in my smoking) and it upsets my stomach a bit. I may wait on the Tecfidera until I am completely done with the Chantix. I just rec'd another month of shots anyway.

But as soon as I can....I'm going to the Tecfidera. After all, if I don't like it, I can always go back to the Betaseron....UGH

[EddieF]

After 1.5 days without because insurance denied the 240mg dose which follows/gets billed only 1 week after 120mg, I got it handled within 1 business day once I didn't take pharm's answer of "we're working on it". Don't tell me you're working on it, tell me what the problem is & i'll get it done! Done.

Side effects - honestly, i'm a little hot when I go to bed & lay there with fan on till I awake 3am & turn it off.
Stomach - maybe? a tad of ache for an hr or none at all. No bowel effect & I have a colostomy. I do take a low dose of iron to up my red blood count which, constipates so no change from tecfidera.
If it's giving any of you stomach aches, there's quite a few chemo med effect meds for that.
I urinate a good 1/2-3/4 gallon every day (drink much water during day) which also will keep most effects away.
Undocumented fact if you ask a Rebif nurse about drinkng 1/2 gallon of water per day to squash effects. Helped me a ton back then, drank all that water since dx.

[karilann]

As of May 31, I have not received Tecfidera.
I have spoke to MS Active Source about 8 times and it seems they keep faxing the script to Medco mail order pharmacy....but when I call the pharmacy, they have not received it.

I verified the fax number with my pharmacy.....what a mess.
Finally I called my doc's office and asked why they couldn't just fax the script to the pharmacy? Apparently there is more to it than that with a brand new drug....so
Doc's office told me that out of 17 of their patients who applied for the Tecfidera in April, only 3 are currently taking it. The process has been slow with lots of confusion.

So I guess I keep waiting and calling...waiting and calling.....calling and waiting

[Sparky10]

Interesting timing, Karilann. I just got off the phone with MSActivesource. The latest update they have was entered just today. The 'script was sent to the specialty pharmacy for insurance coverage confirmation (Medicare only - no $10 copay for me).

Karilann, be sure to move your hand around on the table you're tapping your fingers on - don't want to dig gouges!

[EddieF]

It took me a dozen calls to all links in the chain. And even when I thought I had it done, next denial was CBC needed which can be drawn no more then 30 days prior. Lucky me, I had doc take blood & mri for my own ref that week. Have a recent CBC ready to fax just incase & for your own good. I'll get a cbc in a week or 2 to see if Tecfidera's lowering what it should.

No magical results to report, no side effects either other then very slightly sweaty. I take a generic Advil every morning & 1 adult aspirin at night for a yr? or more so maybe that's why headaches are non issues.

[Sparky10]

CBC and MRI were current back in April when this process started. With only Medicare the MRI cost me around $200. If it's out of date, I'm out of luck. No way am I paying for another round anytime in the next year.

[karilann]

Worth noting:
While talking with MS Active Source, they wanted to enroll me in the QUICK START PROGRAM to get things moving along more quickly. This would give me a 30 day supply until my regular pharmacy/insurance get their act together.

Well, I did not qualify for the QUICK START due to the fact that I had Medicare A & B. If I had only had Medicare A, I would have qualified.

I didn't even realize you could have Medicare A alone.

[rmsewell]

I've been on Tefidera for 3 weeks now (just starting week 4) and doing great. Outside of some minor itching and flushing for the first couple of weeks, I have no other side effects. I take this with my breakfast at 7am and then again at 7pm, and I think that even though they say it doesn't need to be taken with food, it has helped because I've had not stomach issues whatsoever. It is probably good to note that I did start this after being off of meds for 2 years (many years of ABC drugs), so I had nothing else in my system. Unsure how long I will continue to use it, but for now, it has been great!

Now, if someone can come up with something that will help me to stay asleep and not catnap throughout the night, I'll be an extremely happy camper!

[jprinz99]

Have been following this intensly as I want to get on Tecfiderea, but I have a Humana Medicare Advantage plan and a slim income. Any tips for those of us on how to afford this?

Good luck to all of you who have/are getting your Tec soon. Am looking forward to great results