Skip To Main Content
For US Healthcare Professionals
Jozi, a nature lover and lionheart living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), poses for the camera.
Back to All Stories & Videos

Dating with MS

What’s it like to tell someone you’re dating that you have MS?

Hear Jozi’s story about sharing her diagnosis, as well as what having a relationship is like with MS now that she and her boyfriend have been together for a couple of years.

00:00 

Jozi: Hi, I'm Jozi. Sometimes people who are newly diagnosed with MS wonder how it affects relationships, so I'm going to share my story.

Jozi: I first met my boyfriend Steve about twelve years ago, we dated for two years. Uh, we then separated for ten. Steve moved to the mountains, and I moved to Durango. 

Jozi: We.... reconnected about two years ago and have been happily together since.

00:27

Jozi: I did date others before I met Steve. Um, I had other partners while we were separated.

Jozi: Uh, one was long term and a bit more serious, and you know, we all have a couple in betweens.

Jozi: The topic of MS came up pretty immediately for Steve, and I. I was scared to have a relationship. I didn't really know how my symptoms were going to progress or really what to expect myself. So it was frightening to pursue a new, serious relationship with a partner.

01:02

Jozi: His reaction initially was mellow. Uh, I think he also didn't fully understand what MS was, um, but I will say after about three weeks, he took me to one of my treatments, and the seriousness of the diagnosis started to scare him.

Jozi: I encouraged him to talk to a friend who has family members who also have MS. He was able to talk about the seriousness of MS, and I think he was able to find comfort, even though he was scared, and able to understand a little bit more. 

01:42

Jozi: The experiences I have telling someone that I want to start a relationship with, that I have a MS, is initial shock. A lot of people ask if it hurts or if I'm okay or what my experiences are. So, you know, initially a lot of sympathy.

Jozi: Some people ask what my symptoms are because they know somebody that has MS, and a lot of times people are familiar that MS symptoms are usually different for everybody.

02:15

Jozi: I do talk about the future with my boyfriend. Steve is building a house on two acres. We both want kiddos down the line.

Jozi: We also talk about, you know, future, as in you know, next summer, next spring, next fall. So, yeah, we certainly talk about the future together. 

Jozi: This is about all I have on the relationship of MS.

Jozi: Thanks for listening. 

02:44 [Closing music continues playing]

See more of Jozi's stories

Jozi’s Infusion Experience

Take a look at Jozi’s infusion checklist and see what she likes to do while she’s there.
 

Jozi C.

Spring Rolls & Peanut Sauce

Get Jozi’s recipe for this delicious appetizer with an easy-to-make dip.
 

Jozi C.

Cocktails & Mocktails

Mix up something delicious with one of these three recipes from Jozi.
 

Jozi C.

Jozi’s First Days of Diagnosis

Jozi decided to face her MS head-on when she was diagnosed. Read her story.
 

Jozi C.

Jewelry Making

Take a look at Jozi’s work and hear how creativity crafts her approach to life.
 

Jozi C.

Out in Nature

Jozi finds spending time outdoors in nature helps her refresh both mentally and physically.
 

Jozi C.

Important Safety Information & Indications

What is OCREVUS?

OCREVUS is a prescription medicine used to treat:

  • Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults
  • Primary progressive MS, in adults.

It is not known if OCREVUS is safe and effective in children.

Who should not receive OCREVUS?

Do not receive OCREVUS if you have an active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Do not receive OCREVUS if you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to OCREVUS. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to OCREVUS or any of its ingredients in the past.

What is the most important information I should know about OCREVUS?

OCREVUS can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Infusion reactions: Infusion reactions are a common side effect of OCREVUS, which can be serious and may require you to be hospitalized. You will be monitored during your infusion and for at least 1 hour after each infusion of OCREVUS for signs and symptoms of an infusion reaction. Tell your healthcare provider or nurse if you get any of these symptoms:
    • itchy skin
    • rash
    • hives
    • tiredness
    • coughing or wheezing
    • trouble breathing
    • throat irritation or pain
    • feeling faint
    • fever
    • redness on your face (flushing)
    • nausea
    • headache
    • swelling of the throat
    • dizziness
    • shortness of breath
    • fatigue
    • fast heart beat

These infusion reactions can happen for up to 24 hours after your infusion. It is important that you call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms listed above after each infusion. If you get infusion reactions, your healthcare provider may need to stop or slow down the rate of your infusion.

  • Infection:
    • OCREVUS increases your risk of getting upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes infections. Infections are a common side effect, which can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection or have any of the following signs of infection including fever, chills, or a cough that does not go away. Signs of herpes include cold sores, shingles, genital sores, skin rash, pain, and itching. Signs of more serious herpes infection include: changes in vision, eye redness or eye pain, severe or persistent headache, stiff neck, and confusion. Signs of infection can happen during treatment or after you have received your last dose of OCREVUS. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection. Your healthcare provider should delay your treatment with OCREVUS until your infection is gone.
    • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation: Before starting treatment with OCREVUS, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for hepatitis B viral infection. If you have ever had hepatitis B virus infection, the hepatitis B virus may become active again during or after treatment with OCREVUS. Hepatitis B virus becoming active again (called reactivation) may cause serious liver problems including liver failure or death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you if you are at risk for hepatitis B virus reactivation during treatment and after you stop receiving OCREVUS.
    • Weakened immune system: OCREVUS taken before or after other medicines that weaken the immune system could increase your risk of getting infections.
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability, and has been reported with OCREVUS. Symptoms of PML get worse over days to weeks. It is important that you call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms that have lasted several days, including problems with:
    • thinking        
    • eyesight
    • strength
    • balance
    • weakness on 1 side of your body
    • using your arms or legs
  • Decreased immunoglobulins: OCREVUS may cause a decrease in some types of immunoglobulins. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood immunoglobulin levels.

Before receiving OCREVUS, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have ever taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system, or other treatments for MS.
  • have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.
  • have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. 
    • You should receive any required ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines at least 4 weeks before you start treatment with OCREVUS. You should not receive ‘live’ or ‘live attenuated’ vaccines while you are being treated with OCREVUS and until your healthcare provider tells you that your immune system is no longer weakened.
    • When possible, you should receive any ‘non-live’ vaccines at least 2 weeks before you start treatment with OCREVUS. If you would like to receive any non-live (inactivated) vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine, while you are being treated with OCREVUS, talk to your healthcare provider.
    • If you have a baby and you received OCREVUS during your pregnancy, it is important to tell your baby’s healthcare provider about receiving OCREVUS so they can decide when your baby should be vaccinated.
  • are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OCREVUS will harm your unborn baby. You should use birth control (contraception) during treatment with OCREVUS and for 6 months after your last infusion of OCREVUS. Talk with your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
    • Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take OCREVUS during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while receiving OCREVUS, tell your healthcare provider right away. Talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the OCREVUS Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. Your healthcare provider can enroll you in this registry by calling 1-833-872-4370 or visiting www.ocrevuspregnancyregistry.com.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OCREVUS passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take OCREVUS.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of OCREVUS?

OCREVUS may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Risk of cancers (malignancies) including breast cancer. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about standard screening guidelines for breast cancer.
  • Inflammation of the colon, or colitis: Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of colitis, such as:
    • Diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual
    • Stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus
    • Severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tenderness

These are not all the possible side effects of OCREVUS.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

For more information, go to www.OCREVUS.com or call 1-844-627-3887.

Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout and click here for full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

    • OCREVUS Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. 2016.

      OCREVUS Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. 2016.