Kesimpta and UTI
After years of being on Ocrevus and experiencing an allergic reaction at every infusion. My insurance finally agreed to cover Kesimpta. I began Kesimpta in April. However, I had a UTI in July delaying my injection. I currently am being treated for another UTI which will again delay my injection. I have a history of UTI’s related to neurogenic/overactive bladder. I decided to look into Kesimpta because I had been without a UTI for several months and that has suddenly changed. It turns out that this is a risk factor or side effect. I was aware of how my immune system would be impacted and the risk of upper respiratory infections but I did not know about UTI risk. I see my MS specialist next week and I fear he will dismiss the correlation, much like how he knew my extensive history of UTI’s and still insisted with my insurance after 3 denials to get me on this medication. I am frustrated and disappointed.
Hi
I can understand why you would be frustrated and disappointed. I am attaching an article here that explains that UTIs can be a side effect of Kesimpta: https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/kesimpta-side-effects. You could print this and bring it to your doctor if you feel they will not listen to you. Please keep us posted! Jill (Team Member) I had my appointment yesterday and as I had predicted, he did not want to acknowledge Kesimpta as a cause for my UTI’s. He said Kesimpta causes one’s immune system to be compromised but it is not as strong like infusions that plummet your immune system. I stated that it is known for causing UTI’s particularly in people with a history of them. He then insisted I have my bladder assessed to rule out any physiological causes to the UTI’s. I informed him that I am scheduled to see my urologist at the end of September and I will heed her advice on what she determines as the cause.
I just got off the phone with my specialty pharmacy representative as they were doing a follow up on how I have been doing on the Kesimpta. I explained the UTI’s to her and she said that she agreed with my specialist on ruling out physiological causes but she also shared that Kesimpta will not be effective in treating MS if I am forced to keep pushing the treatment out due to infection. She encouraged me to document symptom start date, Kesimpta scheduled date of injection and how long I am forced to postpone the injection. She said at this point it is a waiting game and documenting will help draw a clearer conclusion of whether it is directly related to Kesimpta or not. It was also mentioned that it could be my body trying to adjust to the medication and recognizing it as its new normal. Currently, waiting is all I can do. I am very grateful that you provided the article because it helped me have the courage to insist on what I believe to be the issue.I am so glad the article helped you have the courage to stand up for what you believe the issue is. Waiting is frustrating, but it sounds like you have a good plan in place and hopefully this journal can help you get the answers you deserve. Please keep us posted!! Jill (Team Member)
Thank you so much!
