Great News! Any Tips?

[MSFlea]

I'm so excited and happy to say, I got into the Bridge Program, so I can start on Kesimpta while my neurologist battles it out with my insurance 😂😜I was really surprised that I got on it so quickly! I talked to the pharmacy yesterday and my first injections get here today!

I'm rather nervous now that it is really going to be here, and I was wondering if anyone else who is on or has been on Kesimpta would let me know of any tips for when I take it? Like, did you take a Tylenol before you gave yourself an injection? Did it help? Should I not plan to do anything on the day I give myself an injection?

I'm so glad to be starting on my first DMT, and finally start doing something to help my MS! But at the same time, I'm really nervous to see how my body reacts to it!🧡

[Hidden]

I have not tried kesimpta but when I was on Rebif the fist week was kind of tough and Tylenol did help before injection, but after that pretty much got used to it and didn't need it anymore

[MSFlea in reply to Hidden]

Just took my first does at 0800, took a Tylenol 15 minutes beforehand, just in case... Thank you! I'm hoping I won't need it too, for my next ones!

[Cwright170994]

For my very 1st one, I took paracetamol and an antihistamine. For the ones after, I didn't need any meds beforehand.Just remember to rotate which areas you've injected into. I like to go left thigh, left stomach, right stomach, right thigh. Make sure you don't inject within 5cm/2in from your bellybutton. On thighs, do it on the front and not the sides. If you've got a person there to help, and is willing to "stab" you, lift your arm up and bend at the elbow, a bit like you're in an awkward yawning position, and have them inject in the "fatty" part of your arm on the underside.

[MSFlea in reply to Cwright170994]

Thanks! Will do... wonder if just rotating which thigh it is in will do?

[CV97 in reply to MSFlea]

I have only given shots in my thighs. I try to rotate which leg, but can never remember which one I last used when injecting the next month 🤣🤣. I've heard that the stomach is great also, but I've never tried it.

[Cwright170994 in reply to MSFlea]

It will do 😁 its a lot easier than doing copaxone and having to inject 3 times a week! Rotating stops your location from getting damaged and lumpy. Learnt that from my time on copaxone.

[kdali]

Hooray! 🎉 No, there's nothing to do but let it warm up to room temperature for 15min before you inject. You can do whatever you want on that first one and see how it goes. I can't remember anything in the morning, and weekend activities vary, so midweek early evening worked for me.

[MSFlea in reply to kdali]

Thank you! I'm did mine this morning, Wednesday, so that will be my day for the next two weeks and then it looks like the 3rd of the month from here on out!

[Helpmeup]

Just want to say congrats to you!!! You did it! I'm so happy for you! You're taking the first important step. Good luck and hope it goes well for you. The injections are easy peasy. Pre-filled and ready to go. You can watch the how-to inject Kesimpta on youtube. Takes about a minute once a month. Let us know how it goes. 🤗🤗🤗

[MSFlea in reply to Helpmeup]

Thank you! It really was easy peasy! I was worried I would not be able to see the green indicator bar, so I had hubby help, and it was a lot faster than I thought it would be!🧡

[CV97]

I didn't take any meds before hand, so can't say if it would have helped.

Similar to having a cold or infection, my body was pretty non-functional the first day after taking the starter doses. I recommend starting it when you don't have anything to do the next day so you can rest. I also took it in the late evening, a couple hours before bed. I still take my monthly shots on Friday nights at 9pm (thanks recurring calendar reminder!)

Final tip, make sure you hold onto the injector. I wasn't really paying attention once and it nearly popped out of my hand when it "clicked". Now I make sure I focus for the whole 20ish seconds and keep a firm grip on the injector 🤣🤣

[MSFlea in reply to CV97]

Thank you! I took mine this morning, instead of yesterday when I first got them, because my Wednesdays are usually completely clear and I can just have a rest day in case I too, experience the flu like symptoms from it. 🧡

[CV97 in reply to MSFlea]

Very good! I know it's hard to find a day with nothing going on. It'll help to have some time to rest if needed.

[Sweetheartonvdayl]

First of all - 🦉 hooray! I've never been on kesimpta, but it sounds like to me, it'll be a trial period of what your body needs example if you need to take it easy the next day or if you need Tylenol prior to 💉 injection. I wish you the Best of luck !

🙏🧡Lisa 💕

[MSFlea in reply to Sweetheartonvdayl]

Thank you, I appreciate it! This will be my first DMT, so I am worried about side effects, but more worried about MS progressing, so I'm happy to be on it! 🧡

[Sweetheartonvdayl in reply to MSFlea]

My first DMT was avenox. One of the first line of defenses for MS ( had MS for 29yrs) & boy did I get side-effects. Ex: migraine headaches once every week after 💉 injection. But the alternative, MS progressing Was Not an Option!I guess what I'm saying take your DMT unless you can't stand the side effects, then notify your neurologist.

🙏🧡Lisa 💕

[Tazmanian]

Good luck

[MSCanisLupus]

Husband here, looks like the side effects for her are flu symptoms, at least so far. She's curled up in bed shivering under a heating pad. I brought her a bunch of meds for the other symptoms as well, poor thing. She has the Big Dog curled up against her as well. We were supposed to have another (unrelated) appointment today, but I think we'll have to skip it and reschedule. Sigh. I wish there were more I could do.

[kdali in reply to MSCanisLupus]

Ick! 😞 I know the feeling and can share what worked for me (similar, but more harsh medications). Feel free to clear any of my tips with her MD or her MS nurse from the drug company.

A winter hat, warmest one you can find, wear it 24/7 🤣 More fluids, warm fluids, and if you have an electrolyte drink or coconut water, one of those can help. If the meds you brought do not have Benadryl or another antihistamine, and she can tolerate Benadryl, then a small dose may help. I only took a child's dose, for example, and it got the job done. When she perks up a little, an Epsom bath might be lovely. She may never experience this one, but it's handy to know that Claritin or Zyrtec can help with bone pain.

It will get better and will not be like this after every shot, but some have a rough go at the start. Kesimpta is working its magic!

Hopefully others will share their survival tips also.

[MSFlea in reply to kdali]

I was feeling better this morning when I first got up, but was a lot more fatigued than usual. The side-effects started slowly happening again, so I took meds to help stop them that I took yesterday, hopefully that will keep them from getting worse! I just hope next week is not this... intense as well! But for the progression slowing/stopping that I've read that Kesimpta does, it should be worth it! Thank you for the tips!

[kdali in reply to MSFlea]

You're welcome! I have been wearing a hat and vest for 2 days now 😵‍💫🤣 Next few doses should get easier until it's a big nothing burger.

[CatsandCars in reply to MSCanisLupus]

I have not taken Kesimpta, but Avonex used to give me chills and Aleve worked well. I hope she's feeling better by now, though!

[MSFlea in reply to CatsandCars]

Took a while but started feeling a little better, hoping it does not get worse again today! The same thing started happening this morning, so I took the meds that helped yesterday and hoping that stops everything from getting worse!

[CatsandCars in reply to MSFlea]

I'm so glad the meds are helping. I had no idea that Kesimpta caused flu-like symptoms in the beginning. Hopefully your MS is suffering more than you are! I really hope you'll be better soon. 😊

[CV97 in reply to MSCanisLupus]

Based on my experience, she should start feeling a lot better today. I found that Ibuprofen really helped me. & lots of rest/blankets. It's a miserable few days at the beginning, but it does get better!

[MSFlea in reply to CV97]

Not feeling quite as bad as yesterday, and hoping meds help things stay that way! Thank you!

[stepsforNeeC]

I’m happy you’re starting your DMT’s - I on Copaxone (also injectable) many years now. Besides watching the your injection sites it’s been okay. Your coverage may a clinical team you could be connected to for support, home visits etc. Check to see if it’s available for you. Blessings and Peace. NeeC

[CatsandCars]

Sorry to hear you got flu like symptoms! I hope you're feeling better and it doesn't happen next time. 💕