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Ampyra the first week
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After two days, DH said he had a side effect, his nose was itchy. He said if that was all he got he could live with it. By day three, he seemed to walk more than he has of late. He’s spent more time outside with the dogs too. This is encouraging.
I just hope he doesn’t push himself too hard before he used to moving about more. We had a new futon mattress arrive this morning and he managed to get it upstairs and get the old one down before I woke. I’m not certain if it had anything to do with the Ampyra or merely his stubbornness in not asking for help.
Watching him walk around I see that he seems a bit steadier on his feet and doesn’t toddle about as slow as before. Again, I’m not certain if it’s the drug helping or not. I’ll withhold my judgment for a while.
Posted in MS related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Ampyra, Ampyra approved, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, New MS drug Ampyra, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The Ampyra arrived and so it begins…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After a complete cluster f***—it seems that the right hand had no idea what the left hand was doing. Gazillion phone calls from DH to the insurance company, the drug company, the doctors’ offices, and back again to straighten things out, we got a phone call saying the drug was on its way. Then another one saying it wasn’t. More phone calls and finally the Ampyra was on its way (again) this time it arrived.
Ampyra day one: DH’s Ampyra arrived at nine in the morning Thursday morning. He took his first dose soon afterwards. He’s supposed to take two a day twelve hours apart. I’m not sure how long or how many doses it’ll take before he notices a difference, if there is a difference. We’re hoping for some changes. It’d be nice if his walking improved.
We’ll give it a few days to a week to see if there is any change. I’ll let you all know if there is. Keep your fingers and toes crossed. It would mean a lot to him if his walking improves.
Posted in My blog
Tags: Ampyra, Ampyra approved, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, New MS drug Ampyra, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
DH is getting the Ampyra!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
At least three letters, the neurologist’s intervention, and dozens of phone calls and faxes later, DH will get his Ampyra. What a total cluster f*** that was. Now, if it works, and he walks better he will be over the moon.
However, they only approved his meds for six months. I’m betting we’ll have to go through the whole dance routine again when that rolls around. Oh, what fun that will be…NOT! I can’t understand the whole process. They make you jump through enough hoops to qualify as a circus act and then they have the nerve to tell you yeah, you can have it, but only for six months.
Why? His condition isn’t going to change except maybe for the better and yet you want to toss him in the trash in six months? This sort of thing sucks.
From the looks of it, even if there are sweeping changes in our health care system, there will always be someone denied the proper care or medications.
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Ampyra, Ampyra approved, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, drug plans red tape, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Ampyra authorization
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The approval came through for DH’s prescription of Ampyra. Now we are waiting for it to arrive. We do this with a mix of hope and fear. We hope it works. If DH is lucky, the drug will help him to walk better. We are concerned about side effects.
DH walks with a cane and at times, he should use a walker. He refuses to do that at present. I can understand it. I have wished that he wasn’t so stubborn about it a few times. He has accepted the use of a handicap cart outside so he can walk the dogs in the mornings. He will also use an electric cart in stores because he knows he can’t walk the distances he’d have to there.
Dealing with MS for him is a constant battle. DH has a long and wide stubborn streak in him. At times, it’s a pain in the asterisk. However, in the MS combat zone it pays.
Yes for him it is combat. MS is not a blessing, not a challenge, but a battle to fight and win. He’s never been one to back down from a fight.
Posted in MS related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Ampyra approved, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fampridine is now Ampyra, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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