Hi all, I am hoping you can help/advise, I was diagnosed with RRMS back in April after suffering my first known relapse, apparently I had older scars which would imply I’d had one before but not linked it with MS? I finally had an appointment with the consultant neurologist on Friday to discuss treatment and have gave me two options, Copaxone or Tecfidera. My husband and I were trying for a baby and would like to continue doing so and the consultant said both were safe before, during and after pregnancy but research online suggests Tecfidera isn’t approved for pregnancy. They both seem to have low efficiency rates, Copaxone he said was 33% so worked for one in three people and Tecfidera was 43% effective. He seemed to be recommending Copaxone more but I’m struggling to find many people using either. I also wouldn’t know if Copaxone was working for 12 months as he said they would do a baseline scan in 6 months and then a further scan in 12 months and compare the two. I feel like I need to get on treatment so need to make a decision but I just don’t know where to start and would appreciate any help or guidance. Many thanks, Rebecca
Hi, you will see plenty of posts on here regarding both Tecfidera and Copaxone.
Ive been on Tecfidera 4.5 years or so and would thoroughly recommend it, no relapses and clear MRIs evidence that.
As youre looking to get pregnant you might wish to dig deeper before choosing Tec.
You have probably read this already, but just in case.
Pregnancy and MS | MS Trust
It might be worth asking about Lemtrada, although you would need to wait over a year to complete the treatment course first.
Case study: should I start glatiramer acetate? (substack.com)
I started Brabio (Copaxone ) at the start of June 23. To me, it seemed safer than Tecfidera. But it was such a hard decision in picking.
I went back and forth in my head between these options (and still sometimes do!) but in the end I said to my neuro I want to go with what you recommend based on how well you see your patients do etc. His response was there’s no doubt in my mind that tecfidera is a more effective drug. That made me go with it. Sometimes I wonder if copaxone would be better in terms of side effects and just general worry about being on something strong, but I’m well and that’s what counts so overall I guess there’s the proof I made a good decision.
I have read that copaxone is more effective that first though as original trials included people with PPMS, but I wanted my neuro to choose really. Maybe ask yours what they would do if you’re on the fence, it will prob help you to realise your gut feeling either way. Good luck x x x
Sorry just registered the trying for a baby part….mmm….I’d need A LOT of reassurance tecfidera would be safe to be honest. I am very cautious when pregnant, didn’t even take paracetamol at that time which is perhaps a bit silly but that’s just me.
In your position I’d probably just want to talk through the evidence and ask lots of questions. If copaxone was safer for baby could you do that for now and switch after the birth?
Overall though baby benefits from a healthy mum so whatever you decide be guilt free about it. It’s worth an element of risk to keep you well xx