Adverse Reaction to Amantidine
 

I started taking Amantidine for fatigue and narcoleptic-type sleepiness five days ago. After spending the past days with increasing symptoms (dizziness, spasms, pain, trembling & difficulty swallowing without choking), this morning I called the MS clinic; as I am now unable to move my neck without severe pain or swallow without difficulty and pain.
The neck and upper back muscles have been in full spasm all day and it hurts to even swallow saliva.
In short, the body is a spastic, vibrating mess.

My neuro said to discontinue it and to wait for a couple of days to see if things improve as the drug clears the system. I’m hoping that it is the drug that has been causing these symptoms and not a flare.

I thought that once this stupid disease went from RRMS to SPMS that the flares would stop and that things might just get progressively worse. This round has me concerned though because it has reminded me how quickly things can deteriorate.

Haven’t been able to read or post because of blurred vision and the trembling but those have been less severe in the last couple of hours.
Thank goodness for Word, spell check, copy and paste :)

Miss you all. Will catch up eventually.

With love, Erika

Aw, Erika, I am so sorry. Things just don't seem to be going well,
at all, for you. Darn it.:( Is someone with you? I hate for you to
be alone. Is Doggie there? Should you go to the hospital?

Praying for you. Please Dear Lord, give her the strength to be well.

Thanks Sally,

Yes, I'm home alone...with doggie :).
He was at the trainers but got into a fight with another dog (his best friend) on Saturday, so he has been home since then for nursing of a puncture on the top of his head.
He'll go back out there on Wednesday once it heals up a little more. I just can't walk him or exercise him with the body like this, but for now, we make a good pair :winky:

My friend is checking in on us and is only a few minutes away if we need help and can take me to the hospital if need be. I'm sure that all will be OK as long as I can continue to drink water and stay hydrated, so I'm doing that.

At least emotionally I'm doing well (still cantankerous)...this is more of a body thing, and it just needs some time to get things sorted out.
Tomorrow is a new day, as they say.

Thanks again for the concern, the prayers and for being a friend :hug::hug:

With love, Erika

Seems that when it rains it pours.....:rolleyes:. You've had your fair share of set-backs and it's time for some less challenging days for you. I hope the break from the meds helps. It's so frustrating when the things that are supposed to help us make us worse. :mad:

So true Kitty,

But try we must...or we will never know if an opportunity to do, feel and function better has been missed.

Thankfully the trembling has continued to decrease through the night and vision clarity is also returning. So in all likelihood the recent symptoms were due to a drug reaction.

Swallowing difficulty, swollen and stiff neck are still present but since the above symptoms are improving, I really think that these and the others will settle down as well in time.

The body finally feels like it can sleep, so that's the plan for the next day or two. Haven't had much sleep in the last 4 or 5 and am looking forward to getting some.

Much love,
Erika

Erika,

You have to be on an upswing now with all you've been through! :hug: Thank goodness you and the doctor recognized that it might be a drug interaction. I hope you'll get some rest and a good meal and feel even better tomorrow. :hug:

Please make sure the doctor has eliminated the possibility of meningitis. The stiff neck and difficulty swallowing are concerning.

Yes, DD had a bug that turned into "M", so it is a possibility. Are
you feverish, nauseous?:hug:

Oh Ericka...prayers for you and a special blessing for you as you continue to try to heal...

Our pals bring up a serious concern...you might want to call about making sure it isn't meningitis. Cover all bases...

Keep us up to date between sleeping:hug::hug:

Erica, adding my voice to the chorus of well wishes.

Your situation sounds truly awful. I am hoping it is brief.

ANN