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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:48 pm
by Lyon
Hi DM,

Congratulations and good luck and thanks for your willingness to enter a clinical trial.

If the situation is anything like my wife's experience in the Tovaxin clinical trial, they watch over you like a hawk and you'll get a far, far higher level of monitoring than you would have otherwise.

If you get uncomfortable with the situation at some point, drop out. Your health is more important than their statistics. On the other hand, teriflunomide seems promising and hopefully you'll never have reason to question your decision to enter.

Bob

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:33 pm
by gkalman
DM,

Good luck and keep us informed. As many others on this board, I believe that you are doing the right thing. It is for the common good.
Hopefully you'll never have another lesion and you'll never have progression. Watch out for yourself.

Wish you the best!!!

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:14 pm
by DM
Thank you.

We are one step closer. Went to the MS clinic at the hospital today. All my blood work, ultrasound and chest Xray came back fine. Did more blood, urine sample, timed walks, math quizzes, putting pegs into holes and stuff, and now we are set for the drug testing.

Next appt. is for an MRI on Sunday, Nov 4, and then Monday, Nov 5, I start the pills.

Whethter I get the placebo, 7mg, or 14mg, who knows, however, I hope the findings, prove positive, and help those who are in dire need of this drug, and want to try pills instead of needles.

So, soon I am off the become a guinea pig, and trust that there won't be any adverse side affects. Hell, I am not feeling anything now, so I hope I don't start. I know I'll be well looked after during the process, and I'll give my honest .02 cents on how I am feeling. Maybe this will be the drug that will turn things around for everybody. As I mentioned, I have no symptoms whatsoever.

I shall report back in two+ weeks and let you know how its going. Stay tuned....

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:57 am
by gkalman
Thank you! Good luck and I wish everything goes well for you.

Just remember that even though you may be helping others, the most important person is you. If you start feeling like too much of a guinea pig, or that your interests are not being put first, you can always opt out.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:38 pm
by conandcait
Hi- Just got the forms for this oral, amongst others. Can anyone let me know how they are doing on it, any side effects, etc..Trying to decide!
Kelli

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:28 pm
by DM
I'll let you know in a week. Apparently, the side affects are nowhere near as bad as the injections, and the results seem to be twice as good. Although the pills are taken once daily, this drug has the tendancy of staying in the sytem a long time. Therefore, if you ever want off, you have to take these charcoal pills to rid the body of any of the remaining drug. The charcoal pill has some side affects, but not severe, and when finished, everything is normal.

So, I will post here next week.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:41 pm
by conandcait
Thanks a bunch!! Kelli

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:54 am
by DM
Well, this is day 4 on the drug, and so far, nothing. As stated, I am not expecting anything since I have no symptoms. I do not feel any different than before the drug test started. No side effects whatsoever. Now, this is not to say that some may arise as I continue on with the medication, but for now, all is fine.

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:19 pm
by DM
Today is one week on the drug. Except for some acute tiredness, pretty much only when I am bored, I still feel good. No dryness of mouth, no hairloss, no dizziness or any other symptoms. Maybe I am on the placebo, or I just ain't feeling anything.

So far. So good.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:36 pm
by DM
Teriflunomide...6 week update.

Nothing new or different. No sidefx whatsoever. So far...So good! and lets keep it that way :D .

Dan

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:22 pm
by carolew
Thanks and welcome dpdsc. Your input is always helpful. Carole

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:56 pm
by DM
Sorry. Should have read 8 weeks, not 6!

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:20 pm
by DM
Just an update for those who are on, or considering, Teriflunomide.

Almost 6 months into the program, and no change. Still feel fine. EDSS is now at 1.0 Was never higher than 2.0 No sidefx whatsoever. Still going to the clinic every 2 weeks for blood tests.

April 14-21 I am due for major appts. Ultrasounds, MRI and a long clinic appointement with all the doctors.

They cannot figure whether I am on the placebo, or not.

Anyhow, feeling fine. Nothing is bothering me. No symptoms whatsoever.

And that is it for now.

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:24 pm
by DM
Just a 6 month update.

Nothing to report. All is the same. No sidefx. No MS symptoms. Not sure if anything showed up on my MRI from this past Sunday. All is good.

Am I the only one here on this study?

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:42 pm
by dignan
I'm not sure if you're the only one, but thanks for keeping us up to date. Glad to hear that all is well.