Trudy, It is a vitamin - an amino acid - which supposely "plays a rle in making fatty acids available for energy in muscle tissue" altho it has not been evaluated by FDA. It is supposely an alternative to amantadine which is "considered to be a first-line treatment for MS & TM related fatigue".
I've been taking 2 500 mg caplets 2X a day of L-Carnatine. After approx. the 3rd day, I did have a boost of energy but for the next 3 days, I slept anytime I sat down - sleeping anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time. Now again today, I feel more energetic but I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring. I will say that my muscle don't seem to hurt/ache as bad. It is the constant chronic fatigue that I am having great difficulty with. I use to be so energetic now it is a real chore to get up and just "BE" anymore. I am in my 17th month of TM. I am not too happy to hear that things will probably be worse as I get older. I've always had a high tolorance for pain but some days, I just have to sit and cry because I hurt so bad and my meds don't seem to phase it one bit. I take zanaflex (tizanidine) for the muscle spasms/contractions; Lortab (hydroco) for pain with X-strength tylenol in between; and zoloft for depression. But, like I said some days it feels as if I'm just taking sugar pills. Did you get the TMA journal? The article on Fatigue and Transverse Myelitis on page 49 may help to explain a little more. Hope this helped. Candy K. ----- Original Message ----- From: Trudy To: [EMAIL PROTECTED];[EMAIL PROTECTED];[EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: 5/7/2007 3:57:39 PM Subject: L-Carnatine Candis, I have just heard about L-Carnatine. What is it used for?? Is it a more “natural” drug??? Does it help with pain?? thanks Trudy From: Candis Kalley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2007 11:33 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: [TMIC] allodynia & amantadine I looked up allodynia - An example of touch allodynia is pain from the touch of clothing. Thermal allodynia occurs from a draft of warm or cold air on the skin. The March 17, 1997 issue of Newsweek describes a patient who dreaded the breeze from a ceiling fan because it felt like razors cutting his flesh I have this when I wear pants or in bed with a sheet on just above my knees anything touching there feels like a sunburn. If a cold breeze like the air conditioner in the car hits my left arm/hand it feels like a burning sensation and also causes severe cramping and spasms. I really didn't know the name of this but from what I read and experience it is allodynia both touch and thermal. Well I tried the in place of amantadine. After 3 days I did feel better - not as much muscle pain except for the spasms/cramping - but must have over done it because the past 3 days I have done nothing but sleep and have no desire to do anything else. I know this could also be a sign of depression but whatever, I'm calling the Neuro tomorrow. This is not a life. Did anyone watch "Living with Cancer" on Discovery Health? Too bad that TM isn't as well know as some of the other diseases. ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: 5/6/2007 10:22:27 PM Subject: [TMIC] allodynia I've looked up 'allodynia', but still don't really understand it. I've never heard of it before, and now 3 of you have just mentioned it. Can you give me an example of how it works? Sally
