[OmaDot]

Originally Posted by OmaDot

Well, I just woke up with fever, cramping and body aches. Will call Dr as soon as they open. I have a feeling I am going to be taken off of Tecfidera. Sorry, I know this is not positive but figured people might want to know these things.

Dr ordered some blood work, asked me to continue taking it for now as these symptoms are not known to be associated with Tecfidera (the fever and body aches). Will resume tonight, still hopeful!

[Kitty]

Sally, thanks for thinking of me!

I didn't get my meds until late on Wednesday. I had two appointments yesterday. I wanted to begin on a day when I could take my first dose mid morning so I started today.

Took my first pill at 10 AM and have felt fine since. Wasn't really expecting much of a reaction being my first dose. I hope I tolerate this med well and we'll see what the coming days are like!

I keep looking in the mirror to see if I'm flushing!

[Kitty]

Wow. About 1 PM I noticed that my face felt hot. I got continually hotter and felt like I had a bad sunburn. I looked in the mirror and sure enough I was flushed. It felt swollen but didn't appear swollen.

For about five minutes I felt prickly and itchy all over. It's subsided now.....after about 15 minutes......but it was intense.

I have to take another pill tonight so at least I'll know what to expect.

No too bad. Nothing I can't tolerate. Just a strange sensation.

[Kitty]

I took my second dose about 7:30 PM last night but I ate right before I took it. If I had a reaction I didn't feel it.

So....this morning, before I take my pill, I'm going to eat something and see if that helps.

I also took 2 Aleve before I took the Tec pill so that might have helped some.

Not sure if this will all work for me but I'm going to give it an honest try. So far so good!

[SallyC]

Kell, are you on a low starting dose?
I've heard that the bad sides usually come, when you up your dose.
I hope not. in your case.

[Kitty]

Second day. Took first pill about 9 AM but ate before I took it. Also took 1 Aleve at the same time.

It's 10:45 AM now and I haven't felt anything. Maybe eating with the meds is going to be a requirement for me. Mandatory eating......I think I can handle that!! It was about 3 hours after the first dose yesterday that I had the intense flushing.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by SallyC

Kell, are you on a low starting dose?
I've heard that the bad sides usually come, when you up your dose.
I hope not. in your case.

Yes, right now it's the low dose twice a day. I take that for a week then the double dose begins. I anticipate some side effects with that but will wait and see what happens.

[EddieF]

I took mine with breakfast (tall glass of 2% milk) & a half dozen other meds, the other after dinner with a bunch of other meds. The mild flushing was nothing compared to MS. Don't be one of those that read all side effects & imagine you're having them. Get a grip, enjoy the lack of shots, feel happy cause the stuff works

[barb02]

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

[Kitty]

Thanks! So far the only reaction I had was after the very first initial dose and that one I took without eating first. I've had two more doses since that first one and have eaten with those and had no flushing, itching or other side effects.

I anticipate some with the higher dosage but I'll deal with those as they come. Eddie is right......it's nothing like what we put up with with MS.

If I have them then I have them and I know they won't last forever. I'm just going to keep a positive attitude and be thankful I have the opportunity to receive these meds.