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tecfidera

I had been on Avonex  since diagnosis but decided to make the switch to Tecfidera so I no longer had to do injections.  I lasted approximately a week and a half.  I had stomach pain and nausea which progressed to vomiting and diarrhea when I stopped taking titer dose and took full dose.  My doctor decided to have me go back to titer dose and stay on it for a full month before taking full strength.  Has anyone else tried this and did it work??  My insurance company denied me being on titer does for a month 3x and finally after appeals they approved so I haven't been on anything for a month.  Just wondering how anyone else fared second time around because my meds should finally be coming later this week!!
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5538989 tn?1514398453
My neuro recommended taking Acidophilis 2 weeks before I began. I tolerate TEC very well, so I finished the Acidophilis after a month and never purchased any more.

I'm to the point I take it in the morning before I leave for work and do not have to take with food any longer..........

I have been taking TEC since Oct after a few months of Copaxone. I'm still grateful every day for the switch.

Good luck and best wishes!
Lizzie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello, I too did not tolerate tecfidera on the standard titration. I suffered terrible stomach cramping to the point I couldn't go to work. I never miss work.
The pharmacist changed the titration to 2 weeks on low dose 2 times a day, then low dose in am and high dose in pm for 2 weeks. Then I was able to tolerate the med with just minimal flushing issues. I was on Avonex as well before the tecfidera, and I am doing very well, actually much better on the tecfidera.
I hope this helps. Don't give up as it sure beats doing the shot and the day after down day I had with the Avonex.
Best regards, barb
Helpful - 0
5112396 tn?1378017983
So strange (to me) that an insurance company would take issue with the titration dose as it would be smaller. I'm glad you're now approved. I've been having a similar problem finding a manageable dose on a new (non-DMD) medication I'm on. At full dose, the nausea was really impacting my quality of life, and I went back to a half dose. I know I'll be titrated to twice as much soon and, given my past experience, I'm nervous as all get out!

I'm just going to hope that my time at the lower dose takes some of the oomph out of those side-effects and hunker down with ginger ale and the mindset that it's temporary and in keeping with a greater good (ultimately a positive benefit from the medication). Hopefully that does it. But in the mean time, I can offer a bit of solidarity. Taking something you know is of benefit to you is quite a mind game when it feels so crummy!
Helpful - 0
7787858 tn?1394533983
When I first started Tecfidera I had no problems what so ever. But as soon as I got on the full dosage I started to have GI problems and the hot flashes/ sun burn sensation on my face, neck, chest and down my arms. It lasted for a good month and it would come and go randomly. I started to take a benadryl before my med and it seemed to take control of all of the side effects. I'll randomly get the hot flashes but its very rare......hope that helps.
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
I don't know of anyone here who had this problem - I sure hope your body get used to it and you can take the Tecfidera..... good luck. Laura
Helpful - 0
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