Here we are at the end of another year. Don't worry, this won't be “A Year in Review” kind of post, even though so much has happened for me, personally, in 2015. If you've been a semi-regular reader, though, you already know most of the highs and lows, so I don't feel I need to recap.
Looking ahead to 2016, I'm optimistic. Then again, I'm always optimistic, New Year or not. I believe in hope. I believe in love. I believe in laughter. I believe they should be in everyone's life, and used liberally.
Speaking of hope, I got my Tecfidera yesterday! I haven't completely decided whether I'm going to start it today or tomorrow. I have to take one pill twice a day on a full stomach to reduce the chance of stomach upset. I'll take the second one after dinner, but the first one is going to be tricky.
I take my thyroid medicine in the morning and I have to take that on an empty stomach. They recommend you don't eat for an hour afterward, which isn't an issue because I'm not big on eating breakfast. Enter Tecfidera, and I have to eat in the morning. And that's fine because I really should eat breakfast. It's just going to be a matter of getting used to it.
I'm leaning towards starting the medicine tomorrow because my husband will be home. Heaven forbid I have an adverse reaction while I'm home alone with the kids. That would not be good.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that it's possible Tecfidera can cause a lot of side effects and actual problems. On the other hand, Copaxone was considered to have very few side effects, and I was miserable on it. As usual, I'm optimistic about this medicine. And, it's NOT an injection!
I could launch into a tirade about the side effects of MS medicines, but, what's the point? This is what we have available to us right now. When I was first diagnosed, we didn't even have oral drugs; they were still a concept. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to try a medicine that isn't given through an IV or a self-injection.
I mentioned actual problems that Tecfidera can cause. It's been noted that Tecfidera might cause something called PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral infection of the brain that often leads to death or severe disability). The instance is really rare; about 155,000 patients are taking Tecfidera, and I believe there have been 4 cases of PML reported. Your chance of contracting PML increases if you test positive for something called the JC Virus. JC stands for John Cunningham, not who you're thinking of, by the way.
So anyway, guess who tested positive for JC virus antibodies? Go ahead, guess! Okay, I'll give you a hint: Who has two thumbs and wrote the post you're reading? That's right, this girl! So when I say I'm a little nervous, I'm a little nervous. But I'm not scared enough not to try Tecfidera.
Like I said, the possibility that there's a slight chance I might contract PML isn't enough to dissuade me from trying Tecfidera. I'm confident my doctors (and I) will be watching my blood work very closely.
Lastly, today is my wedding anniversary. Twenty-one years married to the man who not only tolerates my quirks and my inability to do much on some days but by all accounts, really does love me. I truly appreciate that he stood by the “in sickness and in health” part of our vows.
Happy New Year to all of you. May your 2016 be filled with good health, happiness, giggles and hope. And coffee. Good coffee.
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