Regina. Have you tried Amantadine? I had terrible fatigue for 31/2 years & tried Provigil & 4AP without sucess. only side effects as bad as the fatigue. I started Amantadine the end of December & noticed a marked improvement in 2 days & now generally no fatigue unless I am really stressed & pushing myself. Linda E.
----- Original Message ---- From: Trudy Ogilvie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Regina Rummel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 1:05:34 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] Dr's visit, just a follow up Regina, I have been exactly where you are now.... what a bummer. I too am going to the "top" neuro in the area, but he no longer has time for me. In fact I came in for an appointment and it wasn't with him anymore my year was up and the diagnosis was TM/MS so now I am with his Nurse Practioner... She's awesome. We get along great and she's open to whatever I want to try. When I mentioned marijuana, tho I can't "quote" her, she said many patients have used it to help with the pain. But it's illegal here in VA and I don't know want to get anyone in trouble getting it for me.. Anyway, I too felt that Neurontin was messing with my memory (although I am 62). I did switch to Lyrica. I had a difficult time with Baclofen as it weakens muscles, so I stopped it. I don't really have much spasticity. I also couldn't agree with you more as to the fatigue. At times it's crushing!! I did try Provigil but thought it made me a little jittery. Did not give it much of a try. I hate taking so many meds! Lyrica, cymbalta, zocor, and a bladder control med. The other problem is when you look "good" people forget that you might not feel "good". It's hard because I force myself out of bed in the morning. (As a catholic I can always find a 9:00 am mass somewhere :) Is it a compliment when your friend says "I don't ever think of you as handicapped". I love going into Wash. DC to the museums.... but it takes everything out of me. I shall stop blabbering on. I am so blessed to have friends that drag me and my walker/cane everywhere ..... even to Italy & Mexico.... Regina, you have a great attitude and that is so important with this "affliction"..... Have a great weekend Trudy On Sat, May 10, 2008 at 12:59 AM, Regina Rummel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I saw the neurologist yesterday. She suggested we increase the Neurontin to 900mg 3 times a day for a week, then increase to 1200mg three times a week. I asked about Lyrica in spite of my concerns since some of you didn't do well with it. She said Lyrica was similar to Neurontin, may work faster, is more expensive. I asked if we can take Neurontin and Lyrica together. She said yes and that surprised me. Do any of you take both? And about the spasticity in my hamstrings, she wants me to take 10mg Bicoflen before I do my exercises. Some of you made negative comments about Bicoflen, didn't you? I guess you take it as needed. I mentioned my memory slipping somewhat. I can order a brain MRI if you want to she said. But I've had TIAs that probably are the cause. It all went very fast because I type all the questions and concerns to make sure I won't forget anything. What's wrong with me? Fatigue is a 10 most of the time. Chronic fatigue is truly a handicap. I can hardly walk. My left leg is acting up big time, and so is my lower back (T10-T11 lesion). I drag myself with a walker. Every little thing is a challenge, etc.. Just lifting my left foot is a challenge. Speaking of foot, Frank was right. Prednisone will bruise you. I stopped taking it, it's poison. I refuse to give up. I cleaned all the floors of my little apartment. I cooked shrimp and pasta and steamed asparagus for me and my daughter. I watched and read the news ignoring the blurry right eye, I did this and even did that.... It's a big challenge to do every little thing. And tomorrow I'll work all day in the gift shop and check the inventory. Once I smear the new Channel foundation on my face, eye shadow and gloss on my lips, perhaps if I look better, I'll feel better. But back to the neurologist. She is supposed to be one of the best in Marin. But why do I feel that she can't wait to go to the next room where another patient is waiting? I honestly feel that it's because we both know that there is nothing that can be done for me. That we're both waisting our time. Took a sleeping pill and smoked some pot (medicinal of course) so I can sleep. But I feel better talking to you who is kind enough to put up with this babbling. PS. Jude, I'm thinking about you and hope you feel better and are sleeping peacefully.
