Joyce:
Interesting. My wife Carline too has had good results from Symmetrel. She has
symptoms similar to the one's you describe, weak legs, etc. Unfortunately she
developed, after about two weeks, the most disagreeable sideefects namely
swollen ankles and then in addition swollen feet. The swelling even traveled up
partway on her calves. So inspite of the good results she had to stop taking
it. You may remember my post about 4 weeks ago. The experience base in this
group on this medication seems to be small. Question: why are you taking
Quinine? Keep us posted with your results.
K-F
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11/18/97 03:07 AM
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Subject: Re: Anyone using SYMMETREL?
Oh JOYCE!! I'm SO happy for you! That is such wonderful news! <BIG joyous
smile>
Sending ya love...
Barb Mallut
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----------
From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Mail Joyce44
Sent: Monday, November 17, 1997 6:48 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: Anyone using SYMMETREL?
I must take a moment to express my total elation at a most welcome turn of
events with my PD. I MENTION THIS IN THE HOPE THAT MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE
WILL (ALSO) FIND SOME RELIEF. This is a long posting purposely done to
detail SYMMETREL.
For those who dont know or remember, my PD settled in my legs. It was at a
point where I was 90% dependent. I couldnt stand up alone, my balance was
terrible; my thigh muscle hurt and I litterally felt like a veg.
I had a knock down meeting with my PD specialist neuro and he was at the end
of his rope. My meds were working fine (i.e. any more and I went over the
edge)(any less and I was a total mess). I have no tremor and no dyskenesias.
My legs just didnt want to move and the left one hurt all the time. (I had
a left pallidotomy so the right side was better)
The neuro spoke about how now that we know more about Pallidotomies, we
realize they are'nt long lasting. In fact about 2-3 years before the PD
progresses past the results of the op. Since further surgery was not an
option for me now and any of the new meds were not for my symptoms, he was
lost how to help.
Finally he come up with a suggestion for a med I never took. Last Monday I
was a basket case in his office. He suggested to try an older
medd..SYMMETREL. Start with two a day for a week then increase one a week up
to four if needed. With that I also began to take two QUININE tabs a day.
Fellow Parkies, Ive had this disease for 15 years and have NEVER had more
instant positive results from any medicine. My strength has returned to
"normal", the pain is 95% gone, the stiffness that prevented me from moving
as become a non-factor and I can now litterally march around sometimes with
my cane AND we are finally getting a night sleep. Folks, I only hope this
message may help someone else. Maybe it wont last another day, but I can
only say THANK YOU G.D for giving me a week of new life.
Does anyone else take SYMMETREL (AMANTADINE HCI) 100MG. and if so what
symptom is it supposed to relieve.
Sorry for the long post....Im excited and hope this info may help someone
else.
Joyce
