[jprinz99]

Thanks all! I think I have it figured out (at least for me & for now):

if I eat a decent meal approx 30-60 minutes before I take a capsule I only have occasional cramps. Bad pain and watery D is relieved simply by eating a more substantial meal before the caps.

The flushing is not too often and when it hits it only last 20-30 minutes- so no biggie for me.

Tiredness is still there, but getting better. It may have been related to the gut drama - sort of felt worn out because I wasn't keeping anything for long & had gotten dehydrated.

Part way into month 2 for Tec and I see the light LOL

[Kitty]

I'm glad you're tolerating it fairly well, Jane.

I always eat something before I take my pill. That one time when I took it on an empty stomach was enough to make me remember to eat!!

I don't get any of the stomach upset, cramps or D. I might get a little bit of the tingly feeling but not every time.

I think the longer we take it the less side effects we'll have.

I am so thankful for the patient assistance programs that are allowing me to take this med. There's no way I could ever afford it by myself.

[ewizabeth]

My new local neuro has mentioned starting a pill (this I assume) the last two times I saw him since my symptoms have been getting a bit worse.

When I was on Tysabri I had a slightly low wbc at times. My MRIs are usually good so I wonder if I am nearing SPMS. I have never showed many spots on my films.

So I wonder how the WBC issue compares to Tysabri? I guess I'll have to talk to him when he gets back from vacation. I really want to keep working for at least ten years, and hopefully have a good quality of life after that too!

I stopped my simvistatin that may have caused some of my leg pains I was having. I just wish I could get off most of these meds, I know if I quit working I could get off of at least five of them. Stupid frigging old age and MS.

[SallyC]

Good luck and good wishes for you.

I hope TEC works for you, if you try it.

[Kitty]

I had my Neuro check-up appt yesterday (6 months on Tec) and everything looked great.

I had my blood tested in July and he said that it all looked perfect. No liver enzyme problems and the wbc was fine.

He wants another MRI in December but it will probably be closer to March before I get it done. Too much family stuff going on Nov - Feb. I'm going to be a grandma at the end of November to twin girls!!!

[Kitty]

Yesterday I had my first full day with no flushing/tingling side effects.

Granted the ones I still have are very mild and not very often but I still get them. Nothing like it was at first, though.

My Neuro said that Singulaire stops most tingling and/or flushing but mine are few and far between.....plus, I'm not anxious to add another med to my arsenal.

[barb02]

Saw new neuro today and he proposed tecfidera as a possibility if my MRI show new lesions/disease progression. Have been reading the posts here with interest. I am hesitant to try anything new after having so many problems with other meds, but this one seems to have the "most benign" side effects, in the words of my doctor.

Kelly, I already take singular so maybe that is a plus.

[Kitty]

Barb, I've had the best experience with Tec out of any of the meds available for MS that I've taken. I hardly ever get any side effects anymore. I've been on it a little over 6 months and the instructions said the side effects would decrease with time. It's been the easiest DMD so far. If you do decide to take it I hope you have a positive experience with it.