Just DX'd

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PDaddy

Distinguished member
Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
264
Diagnosis
04/2008
Country
US
State
CA
City
Claremont
Hi all,

This morning I got the news that I indeed have ALS. What a pisser. The dr has prescribed rizuloe and lithium. Now to find a pharmacy that has them the first one I checked didn't have it.

My legs are strong but do have MND, my left hand is about 60% of normal (maybe less) and the right hand is about 85%. I'm still working full time and need to keep working. Will those drugs take me out of commission for a while?

Thanks

Pat
 
Hi Pat sorry about your diagnosis. While both drugs can have some side effects they shouldn't take you out for a while. Some of us don't have any side effects that are too bothersome at all. Use the search feature to look up both drugs. There is quite a lot of info there.
AL.
 
I am sorry to hear of your DX, PDaddy. You seem to be kind of matter of fact- how is the rest of the family?
 
Hi Cindy,

That's just the way I always have been, almost too literal too! My wife is taking it the hardest, but I am ready for anything. I just gotta find a pharmacy that carries the drugs and get started on plateauing this or slowing it...

And two nights ago I took my first Lexapro and couldn't sleep at all, literally! My wife will call my Dr today and see if I even need it now that I will be on R&I.
 
Hi Pat

I .have been on Lithium for about 2months with no side affects. I was able to work for 3 years after my diagnosed. I took good care of myself and got plenty of rest. I learned how to get things done without getting to fatigued which is what finally made me retire at age 43 Take care Rob
 
Pat - I got Rilutek and Lithium at CVS pharmacy in Redlands - so I'm pretty sure they would have it at any of their stores. Lithium was less than $20. Hope you have insurance for the Rilutek - it's a bummer - $1,000 for 30 days.

I could have kept working but the PT suggested I not type so much in order to save my hands. Since I worked for my husband as an office manager I quit right away and applied for SS. I start getting that in June - along with Medicare.

Even though I quit my hands continued to progress until I started on Lithium and then they went back to normal. Not everyone has that kind of response. Hands fine for the last two months.

Good luck find the Rx.

Sharonca
 
Thanks Rob and Cindy. I have about 12 years on you Rob but that is great info about the Lithium. It is calming me a bit.

Cindy - I have always been pretty calm and stable. I am also very literal, almost to a fault. My wife is taking this harder than I, but she is strong too. I want to get on those meds and start the treatment... The odd thing is, I was more distraught when I got laid off from my great job in 2002 after 11 years with the company. Only 3 years ago I found my present job which is somewhat comparable to my last job. ALS, I will handle.
 
Thanks Sharonca,

The CVS in Pomona was out, but my wife called the 24hr CVS in Upland and they do have the drugs but COSTO does NOT carry it. I do have insurance, but don't know what management will say once we fill them in. I sure my hands recover! ;-) I know nothing about SS and Medicare, but my wife will dig into that soon.

Pat - I got Rilutek and Lithium at CVS pharmacy in Redlands - so I'm pretty sure they would have it at any of their stores. Lithium was less than $20. Hope you have insurance for the Rilutek - it's a bummer - $1,000 for 30 days.

I could have kept working but the PT suggested I not type so much in order to save my hands. Since I worked for my husband as an office manager I quit right away and applied for SS. I start getting that in June - along with Medicare.

Even though I quit my hands continued to progress until I started on Lithium and then they went back to normal. Not everyone has that kind of response. Hands fine for the last two months.

Good luck find the Rx.

Sharonca
 
Lots to comment on

Husband diagnosed in march. Dr. informed us of Ritulex, which he sort of dismissed saying it would only net a couple extra months and was very expensive. But I see a lot of people here using it. Is that the same thing as Rizuloe? He didn't offer a lithium perscription, but mentioned some trials. Can any Dr. perscribe that? What the heck is Lexapro?

On work: My husband is a farmer. And right now he seems to be holding his own, he has a leg brace on his left leg. But he does tire much easier. By the end of the day he is just wiped out. Is he harming himself. I hear so many people saying things like they are saving their hands etc. Does continuing to work wear one out sooner than if they were to just take it easy? Our Dr. said "do no less, do no more" but I seriously wonder if he isn't breaking down faster by working so hard. He does try and take it easy. Our son works with him and he does most of the heavy stuff etc. but Steve still has to walk a lot, lift, bend etc.

Anyway we're just a little confused.

Thanks,
Julie
 
Hi Julie,

I understand about Ritulex only adding a few months, I will reconsider if my insurance gets drastically changed. But Lithium along with Ritulex has been found to slow or stop the degeneration and more. Do a search here to turn up some details.

And Riluzole is the generic name of Ritulex.

And Lexapro is a antidepressant which was prescribed to me for my uberemotionalibility. If I get any emotions at all my jaw drops and locks. But, Ritulex and Lithium are also antidepressants, another question for the doctor.
 
Pat.. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. My husband was diagnosed 2/20/08.. like your wife I think I am having a much harder time than him. I was just going to share with you that my husband was really wiped out the first couple of weeks on rilutek. We went back on the dose, cutting him to 1/2 a pill at night for a few days, then a full pill at night, then 1/2 in the am and a full one at night, until he finally was able to tolerate taking the full dose. It took about 2 weeks. The lithium however has had absolutely no side effects for him, which is nice. He just started last week, his levels got to 0.3 the first week, so he is now on 450mg daily, and still no side effects, maybe a little more sleepy than usual but not bad. .. Many people suggested at first that if my husband was so wiped out on the rilutek that he shouldn't take it, but he decided that if it added even another 30 days to his life that it was worth trying. I am glad he hung in there with it.

Julie.. as far as your husband working, I have heard both versions, that exercise strains the muscles, and everything in moderation. My husband is a contractor, and our doctor told him he could work no more than 4 hours a day, because his job is very physical. He already is off work ... he feels better not having to be physical all day.
andrea... wife of Pals Jim.
 
Thanks wife of PALS Jim,

I started on the Rilutek and Lithium last night and took the next dose this morning, so far, no side effects at all. I hope every day is like this! :?::)
 
I hope it keeps working like that for you too! Did you put yourself on the lithium spreadsheet? I am sure that links to it are somewhere in this forum. Since there is so little research to date on lithium there is what appears to be a type of grassroots effort to document the use of lithium with ALS patients around the world.
I am really hoping that the lithium works - I have read a lot more good than bad about it!
Andrea - wife of pals Jim
 
After a whole week, I am happy to report that I still have ZERO side effects with the Rilutek and Lithium twice-a-day medications. Tomorrow I have the first blood test to check liver and Lithium levels. Prayers must be working!
 
Hi PDaddy,

I am truly sorry to hear of your dignosis, my Dad was just diagnosed himself and is still working as well because he has to.

You mention that you were prescribed Lithium and I am wondering if you are taking it as part of a study or were you just prescribed by your Nuerologist? The clinic that my Dad goes to in Phoenix mentioned an upcoming Lithium study they want him to participate in, but I am wondering if other neurologists (such as your and others contributing in this forum) are just prescribing it, then why would they not just give it to him up front. Doesn't make sense to me so just curious how you or others were given a prescription.

Thanks,
My thoughts are with you all.
 
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