Tecfidera?

[4fishylady]

I'm starting my 3rd year on Tecfidera, but lately, I'm feeling a slight stinging or burning sensation just beneath the skin on my face. It's not exactly a 'hot flash', but strange. Also, having some recurrence of hot flashes like I used to have before Tecfidera. There was "flushing" when I started on it, a little different from what this is now. Although, in some ways very similar. Anybody had this sort of thing? Is this the beginning of the end of using Tecfidera? What other symptoms did you have before having to go on something else?

[Royjr]

I don’t know about Tecfidera but I do know that any oral medication they have to be very careful and monitor your liver functions and white blood count.

[rjoneslaw]

@4fishylady

You need to call the Tecfidera pharmacy and talk to someone. I am surprised they don't/ didn't ask you if you were having any issues, concerns, or questions for the pharmacy. They always ask me this when I refill

[Fancy1959]

4fishylady, it's Fancy1959. Please don't experience any other symptoms but get to your neurologist. How long has it been since your last MRI? If it's in a while or is he or she is concerned about your new symptoms, he or she will order an MRI and then you will have evidence showing that Tecfidera is either doing its job or it is not beause the MRI shows you have some new lesions.

I was on Tecifidera for over 2 years when it first came out. At first it was wonderful and I happily sailedl along on it experiencing no new symptoms. Then I started to increase in my disability in some little ways in and not so little ways almost 2 years after I started it. I went to my neurologist with my concerns and we scheduled a new MRI and sure enough it shows that my MS was once again active and I switched off of the therapy and onto another in an attempt to quiet down my MS. So please don't wait very long before you take your concern to your doctor. Remember this chat room is great for giving advice and comparing what's happening to you to us but that the bottom line is we are not doctors.

Until we speak again please take care. Keep us informed of what is happening with your MS. Remember we are only a post away. Never forget that together we are stronger!

[4fishylady in reply to Fancy1959]

Thanks. I did have an MRI in December and it showed very little change, so the doctor said we'll keep on with this for now. Hopefully, I can just keep on sailing this way.

[Sukie427]

4fishylady , I have been on Tecfidera since the day it was approved by the FDA, as Gilenya ripped up my stomach and Copaxone just plain didn't work. Even now I get a flushing feeling through my chest, neck and face, and sometimes just a mild stinging under the skin in the same places. It doesn't last long, nor does it happen all that often. I did tell my neuro about it a year or so ago but he said that it was normal and not to worry about it. I have no plans to get off the drug as it does seem to be keeping the lesions stable. But obviously, not all of us are the same, so you should check with your provider. Sukie427

[LissaH]

If been on tecfdera since I've found out I had MS three years ago. I don't know if this will help but my nero told me to take a low dose aspirin with mines and I make sure I eat plenty when i take my meds or if I'm not feeling very hungry at the time of taking my meds he told me to eat something with peanut butter, crackers, bread anything with it on it. Its worked for me so far. I would ask your doctor about it. good luck and I hope you feel better.

[4fishylady]

Thank you. That sounds helpful. I do take a 81 mg aspirin in the evening, but have not done that with the morning dose. I will try to keep the food and aspirin in mind with my next doses, and see if that helps. Thanks for that advice! I would really hate to have to start on something else, with all the side effects, and difficulty with shots, etc. Ugh! This is the easy button, or pill for me!