Originally after my MS diagnosis I started on Plegridy in February 2018 and I was on it for about three years. At the end of August last year I had a baby. Unfortunately about four months after that I had a relapse. That's when my MS team suggested I try a stronger disease modifying drug (DMD). They gave me five options, which I narrowed down to either Mavenclad or Ocrevus. I decided on Mavenclad because it felt a little less invasive than having an infusion and I wouldn’t have to take time off work going into hospital for infusions.
Before I started treatment, I had to have blood tests to check my white blood cell count, plus a urine test to make sure I wasn’t pregnant. I also had to have a chest x-ray as well.
There isn’t a regular treatment plan with Mavenclad. It’s taken as a tablet. How many tablets you take is based on your body weight. For me, I had six tablets per week. I took six tablets for one week in April and six for one week in May. Then you don’t take anything for a year. The following year you repeat the course. If it works, that treatment cycle should hopefully cover me for about four years.
There is some ongoing monitoring involved with this treatment. I’ll have my first set of bloods since my treatment course in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed everything is on track and I can continue with the next treatment course.
I’ve found Mavenclad to be quite a convenient treatment to be on. It's nice to do a course of tablets and then not have to worry and not have to remember to take anything else. It felt easier than having an infusion because the tablets get delivered to your home, you can take them at home and you don't have to travel to hospital to take it. I’m now working four days a week since having my baby and I really didn’t want to have to go into hospital on the day that I was meant to be spending with him, so Mavenclad has helped me to avoid that.
I've been quite lucky that I haven't noticed any side effects. The one that I was most worried about was hair loss, but because I had postpartum hair loss anyway, if Mavenclad has impacted that too I've not really noticed! Before I started the treatment I was having visions that my hair was going to be coming out in clumps – thankfully, it hasn't.
When choosing a DMD I would definitely say make use of all the materials out there and do your research to make sure it fits in with your lifestyle. I don't think I would have chosen Mavenclad if I was considering having a child, but given that I’d already had one, it’s worked out fine for me.
