A few weeks back I started Namenda, with the hopes it would help relieve some of my sensory problems. My pain doc in Denver, had has some success with his MS patients.

It made me so tired, I had to take two, 2-3 hour naps, a day. In addition to my 9-10 hours at night. I was a zombie.


After the first week, I halved the dose to try and ramp slower. It didn't help, but I felt the tingles, and heaviness, and the other annoying sx getting worse in my hands and feet. After 2 more weeks of increasing doses, it dawned on me that it might be the med.

I stopped it, and after 48 hours, I was nearly back to my "normal" annoying sx. It is such a disappointment. Now what? Tysabri? I'm going to do some research.

Beth,
I don't know much about the different meds... But, you are in my thoughts and prayers...
~Friend

Wow I thought Namenda was just for cognitive stuff, I didn't know they were having success for sensory stuff. Drugs are just amazing sometimes. Sorry it didn't work for you.

i'm with holly.
i thought it was just for cognition too.
it's an alzheimer's med.
i am taking it for memory and cognitive problems. it's helped some.

nothing sensory tho.
i'm lucky. i've tolerated it well.

who do you see in denver? that's where i live.
i see Allen Bowling. he's my MS specialist.

Nurse Nancy
The way Namenda was explained to me by a pain mgmt doc (near as I can recall) was that it changed the brain chemistry and the way messages were relayed through the CNS. That had brought relief to a couple MS patients he had treated. He wasn't sure it would help me, but was willing to prescribe.

I'm basically just grasping at straws for relief. Since my doc is against LDN. I'm at my wits end and my hands hurt ALL the time and it gets worse when I use them.

HTH


I also PM'ed you with more info.

I was prescribed this drug off label for pain and it seemed to help me move much smoother and gracefully. So I guess it helped: however; my medical carrier will no longer pay for it since it is an Alzheimer drug and it was being prescribed for pain.
Sometimes anti-depressants are used for pain management too.

Karilann
I take a/d's for pain and have since dx. I don't tolerate meds well and even a tiny bit a relief is welcome. That's all I get a smidgen of relief. My anti-siezure med is more helpful though.

I am glad to hear Namenda worked for you. Too bad insurance won't cover it. Can you have them make an exception? Your doc'a office may have to get involved and advocate for you. I'd try, because pain relief is hard to come by.

Thanks for sharing your story.