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I have been on Tecfidera almost a year and I still get a niacin like reaction. I take an aspirin an hour before eating and taking the pill to no avail. Recently I temporarily lowered the dose to one daily as I was running out and still was experiencing the same. Noticed that eating ice cream helps. ...

Hi Tippy, I was on Tcelna earlier in the year. I abandoned the trial since I didn'tfeel any better and I felt that I needed IV steroids due to various symptoms. In May, I had a major relapse that required hospitalization, steroids ( for the second time) and a trip to a rehab center. MRI's done at th...

Got this late, didn't check earlier (my bad). Thanks for your reply. Will discuss it with the MD's.

Hello to all,
I wish I had good news. Went for my first infusion but was told that my insurance, ( AETNA ) would not authorize Rituxan as it is not approved as a treatment for MS by the FDA. So I need to wait or choose another treatment. As a patient with SPMS, I have few choices or none at all.

To all,
False Start! Went today for my first infusion and found out that Aetna did not authorized it as Rituxan is not FDA approved for MS.

I am scheduled this Monday. Need to check on the blood work first though. Thanks for the reference.

Hi Anonymoose, thank you for the advice. Will continue to post about my experience with Rituxan. The Oncologist, who does the infusion likes doxepin (Sinequan) over Benadryl. It will be good to have Benadryl on hand. What dose of Benadryl you use?

I have been battling MS since 1999. Finally got diagnosed with SPMS. I have been without a spleen since 1974 due to trauma. Going for Rituxan from Tecfidera. Any tips or advice from those who have tried Rituxan? I know that we have to be weary of severe leucopenia and hepatitis B antibodies.

Have been recommended Rituxan for my SPMS. Looking forward being evaluated by Oncologist. Any personal experience board members want to share?

Went to Tecfidere after a bad relapse which put me in a wheel chair. Done well with the GI symptoms but the niacin effect has been bothersome. Worse of all has been the sleepiness/tiredness. Diagnosed as SPMS by Neurologist. Looking at Rituxan.

I still get sleepy on the Tecfidera. The Ritalin helps but not how I would want it to be. My ambulation is not to par with the sleepiness. This is important because my last flare-up push me from using a cane to a wheelchair. I am trying to transition to a walker. But this sleepiness, makes it diffic...

Hi Jumper, I started slower on the titration schedule, per my Neurologist. I began on 120mg for one week, then 240mg for the second week, 125mg in AM and 250mg PM the third week, finishing with 250mg twice daily. Of course I would take it with food and take an enteric coated aspirin an hour before. ...

My main problem is the sleepiness/sedation. This is particularly an issue since following my last relapse, I was relegated to a wheelchair.
I need to use a walker to hopefully get my leg strength back.

Extreme fatigue, sleepiness and not sharp cognitively. Even taking a stimulant.

From what I remember, a Hemolytic anemia can cause fever. I recently had my CBC which was WNL. Your doctor should give you more information or send you to a Hematologist. Since is a new medication, all side effects/unexpected reactions should be looked at carefully. Good luck.