I always thought that Lithium was used for the emotional lability associated with PLS(or maybe ALS( also). I was diagnosed at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and I was told that with Rilutek my prognosis was good. It is supposed to slow down the progression but it takes 6-18 months to "kick in". The sooner one takes it the better BUT you will be asked to get occasional blood work(liver profiles) to check your liver enzymes amd make sure that everything is functioning normally(people on heart medicines have to do this, too). Mine have been fine. During the time I started Rilutek, my walking went downhill because I was just beginning to take it and like I said it takes time to build up in your system. Nothing can totally halt this affliction but I feel that I'm stable at this time. Look up the drug Riluzole (Rilutek) and it will give you details about drug interaction with other meds(OTC) and such. The wierd thing is "they" don't know HOW the drug works but they know that it works. I sometimes take Baclofen when I feel I need it and I take Quinine occasionally,too when I need it. But I don't suffer much from the muscle cramps...that's the worse thing about having this I think. I'm not sure if the Rilutek is helping with that or not...? BUT I hope you have prescription insurance 'cause Rilutek is NOT cheap. I am on Blue Cross through the plant I work in. Rilutek is shown to cost $856.00 per month but with Presc. Ins. it costs me $25.00 per month(taken twice a day on an empty stomach). It's expensive 'cause they don't make a whole lot of it.
Godspeed, DBowman