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Re: Amantadine. My husband, Tom, was on it for quite a few years. His neuro described it as a "boost" for Sinemet. It helped reduce his "off" periods. When I just looked it up on the internet it said it works in conjunction with L-dopa so her description makes sense. I can't remember why he was taken off it, but now is on Comtan which does the same thing. He takes one every time he takes Sinemet. Since his DBS surgery he really doesn't have the on-off periods. Also, since his stimulators have been adjusted up several times in the past few months, his medications have been greatly reduced, 50-75%, and off Permax completely. As I have been reading the recent input about the level of care that many are having to do for their husbands, I am in awe, and a bit apprehensive. Right now Tom is physically doing okay, so care for him really isn't physically difficult, other than having to do everything (no different than someone with no spouse). It is more dealing with his cognitive decline. Claire CG for Tom 61/45 On 1/17/06, Beverly Bashe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Have any of the PWPs tried Amantadine, the antiviral drug? > > My husband, David, suffered from dyskinesias several times throughout the day. His neuro put him on Amantadine. At first, he took the pill once a day, but the effects wore off too quickly. He eventually took it 2x/day. I know of several people who used it 3x/day. If David took the pill on a regular schedule, i.e. at specific times during the day, his dyskinesias were significantly reduced. When he was off schedule, he would take the Amantadine as soon as the dyskinesia started. Within 15 minutes, all spasms would cease. Like all meds, it wasn't perfect, but it certainly assisted his quality of life. > > Amantadine isn't the answer for all people, but it might be worth checking out for those who haven't tried it yet and are seriously discomfited by dyskinesia. > > Since the DBS, David no longer has dyskinesias, so he no longer requires Amantadine. > > Bev Bashe cg to David 60/59/31 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn