I have relapsing/remitting MS and I have been on Gilenya for almost a month now. The required 6 hour doctor visit for your first dose was actually not that bad. There were a few of us and Novartis provided breakfast and lunch. I had no side affects during that time, however, on the drive home I started getting tunnel vision and feeling faint. I had to pull over a couple of times. So from that ...
JG2Springer | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/26/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was diagnosed in the spring of 2009. I was lucky enough to get into the trial study for this drug. While I cant officially say I was on the drug the whole time, with the dramatic increase in cold sore frequency after starting treatment, my Dr and I felt very confident I was on the drug from day one. I had no side effects from Gilenya and even noted a marked decrease in severity of symptoms on a daily basis as well as return of some lost feeling. I know drugs work differently for everyone. And if what you are on now is working, stay on it. But do not dissmiss Gilenya as a possible treatment.Read More Read Less
1
Report this post
Len | 45-54 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/19/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was diagnosed in March of 2009. I have moderate to severe problems with mobility. I use a cane or crutch to assist with balance and weakness. There are also mild issues with eyesight and muscle weakness. I used Copaxone for 15 months with no changes to my symptoms positively or negatively(no progression!) I have been taking Gilenya for three weeks with no side effects. If all this drug does for me is delay progression, therby maintaining my current quality of life, I will consider it successful. I have MS, it doesn't have me. Good luck to all of you.Read More Read Less
28
Report this post
Angie | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
7/12/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been very pleased with Gilenya and its ease of use however, about 4 to 6 weeks after beginning it, I developed mild but annoying achy hip joints.
9
2
Report this post
nothinbutnette | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/11/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
It's only been a week so I'm not really sure what's going to happen yet. I'm happy I'm not having to take shots. I was off Betaseron for almost 3 months before starting Gilenya and noticed a significant number of MS issues, a lot of pain. I have notice I want to cry a lot and am wondering if this is the MS or the Gilenya (could be my new bipolar med but I just wanted someone elses opinion on the Gilenya and this new issue. My pain has reduced since beginning Gilenya, though.
1
Report this post
Dawn | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
6/20/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
1
Report this post
Karen | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/10/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
It might be too soon to tell as I have only been on this med for 3 weeks, but over all it seems to be effective and no more shots!!! My scar tissue had really piled up and this is so much better. A few minor sinus/throat irritations but so-far so-good! Thanks to whomever founded this new med!
19
Report this post
Karen | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/7/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have only been on this med. for 1 week but it shows a lot of promise after using Avonex for 22 years. Avonex was losing its effectiveness after 4 days, and after all of these years injecting, I had some major scar tissue going on. I do not use any walking devises, but was headed that way with the old med, now I seem to have more stamina, energy well into the evening, but I seem to be getting more of an alergenic reaction to pollen type things with Gilenya as my throat hurts/swells on one side. My appetite has increased these days and my overall feeling of well-being has increased. I can only hope that the good continues!! Read More Read Less
3
Report this post
erica | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
6/1/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
everyone take a good look at the prices of all our wonderfull ms drugs and do some comparision they are all in the same range which all should point out to your insurance companies considering the benefits and less side effects push your insurance companies to do the math there is no reason its not covered. In many cases it is the same or less than the nasty shots!!!!
2
1
Report this post
DLS | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/27/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I had posted my symptoms on 3/16 and see someone else posted the same side effects! It was horrible! The minute I told my doctor what was going on he took me right off the Gilenya. I felt better within a couple of days. I am still taking a break from the meds and am now feeling symptoms of my ms. I will be going back on the AVONEX in a couple of weeks. The tremors, heart pounding out of my chest, dizziness and lump in my throat were the worst side effects from any drug I have ever taken. It's hard enough dealing with the ms. If the side effects out weigh the benefits then it's not a good choice. Read More Read Less
32
Report this post
NDTabb | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/20/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Appreciate the ease after years of unpleasant injection site reactions. *However* the constant bronchitis and minor infections are making me start to consider returning to Betaseron. I hated the shots but hate being constantly sick more.
20
Report this post
hank | 55-64 | Male | Patient
5/20/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been on the drug for over 90 days. Less brain fog however two significant relapses.
14
Report this post
geeman3000gt | 35-44 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/27/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
This medication is helping my vision. Prior of taking Gilenya my vision was very blury and know I do not have to wear my glass.
14
1
Report this post
Nick | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
4/14/2011
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I initially was on a 24 Month, double-blind, double-dummy study, placebo-controlled, study comparing the Efficacy and Safety of 1.25 mg Fingolimod (FTY720) Administered Orally Once Daily Versus randomly assigned or intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex) at a weekly dose of 30 µg. When unblinded it was revieled to me that I was taking the 1.25 mg Fingolimod. during the entire study I experienced NO RELAPSES!!
1
Report this post
goro50 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
4/13/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After using Avonex for 10 years, I am now experiencing the side effects, flu-like symptoms, stronger and longer lasting.
18
5
Report this post
karen | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/10/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
First , I gave 1 star for effectiveness because it's too soon to tell if it's working. It's been over 2 weeks & already my hair is falling out , I've put on weight , noticed my walking is not as brisk and overall feel very fatigued. I'm going to stick with it for a month because I'm hoping these side effects will pass. As long as I feel pretty good otherwise , we'll see hot it goes.
28
1
Report this post
Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/7/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Comment: I have been on Gilenya for 2 weeks and I started having side effects: tremors, light headed/dizzy, swelling in my throat, jaw tightness, nauseous, heavy chested and my heart is racing. I called my Gilenya support nurse and she recommended calling my doctor right away. My doctor directed me to stop taking Gilenya. **If the female that posted on 3/16 reads this, who had the similiar side effects, would you please post again to let us know what happened.
28
Report this post
@KatoKente | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/6/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I started taking these meds about 2 months ago...at first i had mild diarrhea for 2 weeks on and off...then about 1-2 migrains a week for about 3 weeks (imitrex knocked them out tho), now I'm experiencing muscle tightness when i wake up in the morning...not sure if thats a side effect or my regular MS...i was diagnosed in 2006 and used copaxone for 4 -5 years, got tired of the bruises and painful injections...didnt take anything else until they made this pill...all in all...super satisfied :-) any direct questions feel free to contact my twitterRead More Read Less
30
Report this post
jtajima | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/20/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was extremely sensitive to the side effects of the other MS medications. Gilenya is by far the best! I only get slight headaches and slight muscle tension but nothing like I had with Beta-Seron, Rebif, or Copaxone. I feel 100% better on this drug compared to the 3 previously mentioned. My eyes are slightly more sensitive to light but I have not experienced any other symptoms.
33
Report this post
DLS | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/16/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been on Gilenya for a month now and two weeks ago I started noticing side effects: tremors, light headed, swelling in my throat, nauseous and my heart is pounding heavy. I have called my Gilenya support nurse and she recommended calling my doctor right away. I hope everything will be ok because I don’t want to have to go back on Avonex and weekly shots.
22
Report this post
Anonymous | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/2/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
This medication was the last medication left to try for me. I've been on all of the other therapy medication's. By far Gilenya has made a difference. I no longer have to give myself shots. That means no more bruies!!!! I am very satisfied with the outcome of this medication.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.