This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Well I have been on a Gilenya for 3 months.
No flares or anything. Easiest med I have been on for MS.
My neuro wants 1st blood work between 3 & 4 months.
How often is blood work typically done?

Novartis International AG ( NVS ) announced new data showing that more patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with Gilenya (fingolimod) achieved an average annual rate of brain volume loss within the range of those expected for healthy adults of a similar age vs. those patients taking placebo. People with multiple sclerosis experience shrinkage of the brain up to three to five times faster. This acceleration starts early in people with relapsing MS, even before ...

CHMP issues positive opinion to expand EU label for Gilenya in RRMS

Swiss drug giant Novartis said that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use or CHMP has issued a positive opinion to expand the EU label for Gilenya (fingolimod) in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis or RRMS..... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/gilenya

Hi,

I'm a diagnosed MS patient for around 7 years or so. I've been taking Interferon B1a, first 44mu and now 22mu throughout all this time.

Around a week ago I discovered I had another relapse and the doctor recommended me to start with Fingolimod. But the first thing I did after that was checking Wikipedia and got to this quote:

Fingolimod has also been reported to be a cannabinoid receptor antagonist

Does that mean ...

Hi -
I just started taking Gilenya a month ago, and thought I had developed a UTI. Cultures are negative, but I have been using the bathroom at least twice an hour over the past several days. Definitely worse shortly after I take my meds, and dissipates before I am ready for my next dosage. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, how did you manage it? I'm happy with Gilenya otherwise....

Hi everyone,
I started Gilenya on January 20th. About two weeks ago I noticed a rash that has now spread all over my body (small itchy bumps that are hard to see, but can be felt). Last week my neuro wanted me to start a once every other day dose and take benadryl at night. One week later and no improvements so they're taking me off it. Has anyone else had this reaction? I had ...

Differential effects of fingolimod on B-cell populations in multiple sclerosis.... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/gilenya

I have been on Avonex, Rebif, Tysabri, Tecfidera & Copaxone. I am currently on Copaxone. I can't wait to start Gilenya. The lumps and itching drives me crazy.
I am still waiting to have my EKG, eye exam and blood work. I am going to get three ekg's. Is this standard? My neuro wants an EKG, blood work and the eye exam before filling out the paperwork and sending in to Novartis.
This seems like ...

I've been on Gilenya for 4 years now (reluctantly started in the clinical trial because I ran out of DMD options) and I've never felt better. I've had improvements in some of my MS symptoms and can't say enough about this drug. No more shots is a big plus but I've also had few side effects. I did have two upper respiratory infections I couldn't shake, so my neuro suggested I try the modified dosage ...

Disclaimer: I have only been on Gilenya for about two weeks. But in the midst of all the scary stories, I want readers to know that I have no side effects; nor did my heart rate decrease very much during my 6-hour observation period. Gilenya also has the Go! program which will pay your copay - up to, I believe, $12,000 a year. I think just about anyone qualifies, since the drug is so new ...