I took Tecfidera for almost 5 years. I tend to have reactions to most drugs but I found Tecfidera to be easy. I had some flushing at times but for the most part no trouble. It helps to take it with a spoonful of peanut butter. Asprin can also help with flushing. I had to eventually stop it though because it lowered my lymphocytes. I just started a new drug that I don’t like nearly as much. If you decide to take it, then just make sure they test you for JC Virus and they check your lymphocytes every few months. Also, Biogen has a great co-pay assistance program so be sure to ask about that.

Tecfidera has kept me mostly asymptomatic for 7 or 8 years. I get occasional flushing but that’s minor compared to an exacerbation. Yes, my neurologist believes in treatment.

> She's, the ARNP, is a strong believer in being on medication.

Rightly so. The science and statistics over thousands and thousands of people with MS *scream* that being on a DMT drug results in us having a better quality of life, a longer life, and more years being ambulatory and avoiding full disability.

Don't get me wrong, DMT drugs suck and can have many side effects (some lethal!). But the statistics don't lie. Being on a DMT is one of the important things we can do for being "5 for 5" in our battle against this crappy disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXXmkB9mWFQ

I've never been on it. But FWIW, Dr. Boster has a number of videos on that DMT drug here: ( https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronBosterMD/search?...).

Why now? I've been off meds now 8 years...not going back on them either. Was also told at my age they wouldn't help.
Has things gotten worse?