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Joined: Sep 23, 2007 Posts: 160 Location: Lexington, KY
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:25 am Post subject: Amantadine
I got a script for amantadine for fatigue and started taking 100mg in the morning and at night. I haven't noticed any changes yet. Has anyone else taken this and does it work?
Marcia _________________ DX'd 08/2006, RRMS, currently in the Tovaxin extension study group.
Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 590 Location: Northamptonshire, England.
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:
Hi Marcia,
I've been taking exactly the same dose as you for about five years now. The effect was very gradual over about five or six months, but comparing before and after the difference has been profound – before, a 20 minute conversation would leave me exhausted for days, now, I talk all the time to carers, friends, and my computer! – although I do remember being told at the time that it only benefits about 30% of MS patients.
It's also worth remembering that it's a useful antiviral. In fact I think its benefits to MS were discovered as a by product of its use as a flu preventative, when MS patients began to report an increase in energy levels.
If I were you, I'd stick with it a bit longer! _________________ Dom
although I do remember being told at the time that it only benefits about 30% of MS patients.
This is the same thing my neuro told me when he gave me a script for the drug. It made me weaker than before I took it, so I am one of the 66% that do not do well on it.
Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 590 Location: Northamptonshire, England.
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:
I wonder if the drug's antiviral action is responsible for you guys feeling worse? If you have a persistent, low grade viral infection that the body hasn't dealt with, to suddenly begin fighting it because of the presence of amantadine would make you feel quite ill for a while, in much the same way as those who have tried the antibiotic regime can feel worse before they get better. Just wondering, _________________ Dom
Joined: Jul 28, 2005 Posts: 1272 Location: Sydney, Australia
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:
from my understanding of what the abx-er's experience, it is caused by the killing (ie dying and then release of toxins) of bacteria, while anti-virals do not actually kill virus, just stop them replicating, and hence I wouldn't expect it to cause herx reactions. But, again, I am just projecting from my understanding (or misunderstanding) of the process.
Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 667 Location: southern California
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:30 am Post subject:
Hi Marcia-
The amantadine worked a bit for my husband for about six months, and then the effects stopped. He was then put on provigil (200mg.) and is doing quite well.
The natural supplement which has really helped him is creatine monohydrate. He takes a medical grade powder supp. mid day. He feels better on this than on the provigil alone. He's even able to cut back some days on the provigil. Fatigue is the most debilitating symptom for him...mind and body-numbing exhaustion. But this summer he's feeling a slight increase in energy. Might be creatine...might be the RR phase of MS.
Hope you find something to help-
AC _________________ Husband diagnosed RRMS March 2007
pursuing endothelial healing
Copaxone, Swank, supplements, laughter
Dom
that's very interesting that you found it took 6 months to reach full effect. I gave up on it before the 6 months. Maybe it's time to revisit it again....
Can I ask for those of you who are, or were, on amantadine, do you notice any negative side-effects?
I am tempted to take it once more and to give it 6 months this time....
Can I ask for those of you who are, or were, on amantadine, do you notice any negative side-effects?
I am tempted to take it once more and to give it 6 months this time....
After taking it for three days, I woke up on the fourth morning and my legs were so weak that I literally had to crawl to the bath room. My husband came home from work to take care of me that day and I never took it again.
This would have been during the time frame when I could walk without aids.
After taking it for three days, I woke up on the fourth morning and my legs were so weak that I literally had to crawl to the bath room. My husband came home from work to take care of me that day and I never took it again.
That sounds horrendous GWA, how scary for you.
I am still undecided about the Amantadine, it didn't do that to me when I was on it, but then again I'm not sure it did anything really..........
Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 590 Location: Northamptonshire, England.
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:
Hi Cure,
There are several types of antiviral drug, which interfere with different stages of the viral lifecycle. Amantadine works by blocking receptor proteins on the cell surface, thereby preventing the virus from entering the cell in the first place. I was wondering if somehow these " mother" viruses, which have never been through the host's cell replication machinery, provoke a stronger immune response than " daughter" viruses which have, and might consequently present more of the host's protein on the shell surface. I haven't got a clue, really: I was just wondering out loud. gwa's experience sounds really awful, and although dizziness and weakness are listed as possible side effects I hadn't realised you could be that badly affected. _________________ Dom
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That sounds horrendous GWA, how scary for you.