dx in March, so obviously all of my consults have been over the phone. I was given options for my RRMS and chose Tecfidera having spoken to other MS pals.
I was warned about the flushing and upset stomach, but I am now on week 3 of the increased 240mg x 2 a day and I am getting awful indigestion and gripey stomach pain.
I was given lansoprazole to take when I came home from hospital (long before I started Tecfidera) can anyone help? I was warned about this and wonder if it’s my diet that’s causing the problem. I don’t eat meat, but eat a lot of dairy (cheese) and carbs.
Hi James, I’ve been on Tec for 21 months or so with no side effects at all. I’m a strict vegetarian so not thinking your lack of meat would be the cause. I do eat cheese but limit other dairy. Oatmilk is a good alternative if you think cutting back might help. You’re still early in your use of the drug so it may settle with time. There’s quite a few Tec users on here so I’m sure someone will add their experiences soon. Stay safe. Retro
Cheers mate, I had no issues on the low dose. Spoke to the lovely folks at Biogen this morning she said that people often have a blip about 3 weeks in with the higher dose, she advised me to buy gaviscon to help with the heartburn and it has helped already.
Will give oatmilk a try, tried coconut milk and soya but will give that a go.
Hi, it’s a great drug! I’ve had to come off it due to low lymphocyte count, but plan to go back on it. I’ve been taking it a year. Had some mild stomach gripes to start with, but they settled quickly. I always made sure I ate 3/4 of my breakfast or tea, then took the tablet so it was sandwiched in! I had a crumpet, with marmite & toasted cheese for breakfast or egg on toast for weeks.I snacked on nuts. Hope the pains settle quickly & it suits you longer term.
Hello, been on Tec for two years now - but remember first few weeks well! I found week 3 the worst, but at the end of week 3 it was light a light switch , the stomach pain just went. I still get flushing now - which I control with aspirin. So I would say just hang on in there. I was taking gavison until week 4.
I had a similar experience. I started Tecfidera and had no symptoms in the first weeks, then I experienced very bad stomach cramps for a week (maybe week 3 or week 4) and it settled after a week. Since then I just experience very occasional flushes. Hopefully it won’t last.