Hi TeraJo,

I was on Copaxone for 7 years. I don't have one part of my body left to inject on. It is all covered with those hard lumps.

The day Tecfedera was approved I called my neuro and asked him if I could try it. I have A-fib, so that leaves me out of taking a lot

of others, Tec is one I CAN take! When I first started taking it they had me on a half dose, working my way up to full. I was fine

on the 120 mg. no side effects at all. 10 days into the full dose 240 mg. I started having some gastro issues. I was having

bad stomach aches, acid reflux, and nausea. To be fair, I have had acid reflux and am on meds for it but it seems like

it got much worse. I was only sent a month supply. When I ran out I had some issues with my insurance and they did not ship

me any for 2 weeks. In a way it was a blessing because it gave me time for my stomach to recover. I went to my Neurologist

and we decided that as soon as I received them I would go back to half dose for a month and then full. When I first started

Tecfidera I already decided if it didn't work out there was no going back to injections for me. I still feel that way.

So far so good on the half dose. I go on vacation for 4 days the second week in July. As soon as I get back I will try the full dose.

I wish you all the best with Tec. I know many people who have no side effects at all. Feel free to message me or friend me

anytime.

Terri

I am still on the copaxone but worried about the effect of the injections over time... and wondering if my constant exhaustion is related to it at all... Best of luck girl!

I know this post is a little old but I figured I would chime in in case you check it. I just started Tecfidera almost two months ago. At first I got stomach cramps with it and it got better, I also used some OTC medication for my stomach which helped. Then I started getting the flushing and for like a week I did not put 2 + 2 together and then I looked at the side effect profile and it's really common. I still get it a few times a week but not every day anymore and it's not that intense so I'm okay with it. So far I have been symptom free which is good. I was on Gilenya for 2 years and doing well with it but my white count dropped super low so my doctor advised I come off.

How are you doing with it so far?

I'm on Tecfidera and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I felt well on Copaxone except for the injection site reactions and lumps and bruises. I switched to Gilenya and had to stop after 6 days because I could barely breathe. I started Tecfidera this summer. I had some flushing in the beginning and occasional Big D, but my body seems to have adjusted. I still require my daily nap- but I blame the disease and not the medicine for that! No new symptoms (knock on wood). The only negative is that I sometimes forget to take my pill twice a day. That was never an issue with the shots because I dreaded them so much they were always on my mind!

HI bouncycat. I recognize you! Friend request sent!

I see this is an old post but figured I'd chime in. I've been on Tec since October. I've had some issues with nausea, stomach pain and other GI issues, several episodes of flushing, and fatigue but overall I like it a lot better than I liked Copaxone or Betaseron!