Okay, Mom was diagnosed with Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) yesterday. You can find out more about it here: www.pbainfo.org The drug we are trying out to treat this is called Nuedexta. (http://www.nuedexta.com/) It's good to finally know what it is affecting her! We should know within a couple of weeks if this drug works or not. Let's sure hope and pray! Prayers aplenty, please. We also need to specifically pray that Medicare will approve it. It's a fairly new drug that is expensive so we hope they will approve it for her!
She was taken off of Copaxone after three years of being on it and recieving no results. She is on no MS medication for the time being. After our follow-up appointment on July 7th, we will probably be starting Tysabri, (www.tysabri.com) a once a month infusion that more agressively attacks the disease. It has it's side effects, but the benefits are seeming to outweigh the risks at this point. Hey, one needle poke a month definitely beats thirty!
Her new neurologist's name is Dr. Vita (Viktoria) Kaplan, and she practices at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis clinic located by LDS Hospital. We were very impressed with Dr. Kaplan, and her willingness to consult other doctors about mom's case. She was also not intimidated by mom's behavior and seemed to understand the situation more thoroughly. She kept the films from mom's first MRI that was done in November of 2008, and wants to consult another neurologist about what she sees.
We have an appointment scheduled for an MRI at McKay Dee on June 20th. We'll see the progression of the disease after that.
We really were very comfortable with Dr. Kaplan and feel it was a productive appointment. I'm anxious to see what is to come with these changes.
The psychiatrist put her on Depakote and Zyprexa, and also doubled her Klonopin. We're seeing less full blown screaming, and more just moaning now as the old drugs work out of her system and the new ones take effect.
I hope this gave you all the information you wanted and needed to know. If you have any more questions you can email me at contacthollylynn@gmail.com
Also, I want to give an MS bracelet (shown below) to any of our friends and family who want one. I want to do all I can to raise awareness about MS and I think this is a good way to do it. Want one? Just send a self addressed, postage paid envelope to my home address. To get my address, you can email me at contacthollylynn@gmail.com In return, all I ask is that you wear it and tell anyone who asks about it about MS.
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I'm so glad you seem to have found a good doctor. That makes a world of difference. My prayers are always with you.
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