My neurologist gave me a trial starter pack of Namenda. It is for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It is a four week starter with the dosage increasing every week. I see the neurologist at the end of the four weeks.
Have you ever heard of this type of medication being used to treat the complaints of someone with lyme disease?
I can't tell how much of my memory problems are due to lyme and how much are due to the high dose of gabapentin (3,000mg or more) that I take.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
barb, i hadn't heard of this one, but i've lost touch on staying on top of alzheimer's/dementia illnesses.
aricept used to be the 1st thing used to help RETAIN MEMORY LONGER.
have you been to www.alzheimers.org ? they would list new meds and how they are used. best wishes hugs/kisses barb.
Posted by mtree (Member # 14305) on :
yes....I was offered this med for some neuro Lyme and co issues..
at the time I did not take it because I was just starting a new treatment and didn't want to mix meds...
but the doc that was persrcibing it to me I trust....
mtree
Posted by lymeparfait (Member # 14268) on :
Do you have alzheimers symptoms? I wuld be leary of takin git unless you were trying to halt the progression of alzheimers.
Have you done any detoxing for candida? I would definately start doing that if you have not.
Appears, many alzheimers patients have loads of candida, that became rampant afater years of antibiotic usage, where their good bacvteria was completely out of balence.
Candida give memory issues! I can attest to the ower of detox and having clearer thinking.
I also am a caregiver for both inlaws with severe alzheimers, who we now know have systemic yeast infections on top of their plaque!
Go wild on detoxing!!!
lp
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Yes, one of my doctors recommended it to perhaps calm down my tremoring/myoclonus that kind of thing. I was too scared to try it because drugs are so hard on my liver and I'm so sensitive.
But my neurotransmitters are messed up from Lyme and coinfections so maybe it would work on those.
Jill
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I've been taking Namenda for a couple months and i'm only 27yrs old. The majority of my Lyme symptoms are neuro related. It got to the point where my cognition was so poor that I feared doing harm or losing my job.
Namenda has not been a miracle pill but it does seem to help me think a little clearer. Memory and attention is still poor but improving gradually with my new treatment protocol.
My doc works closely with a LL neurologist who recommends Namenda and Provigil for these kinds of symptoms. My ins would not approve Provigil though I wish it would.
If you are having severe problems, give Namenda a try. It will either help or not.
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
Do a search on Turmeric and Alzheimer's. Maybe it could help.
Dan
Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
I really appreciate the quick and numerous responses. Wow!
I figure I'll give it a try. It was free.
All I want is to get better.
I can only afford to take the supplements that I have already purchased. The problem is, I always forget to take them! I have them in nice little organizers in my pill cupboard, but I still forget. I have put them in my pocket...and still forget.
I know getting over Lyme will be a long term thing, like it was 12 years ago. Been there. Done that. Five years of not working. I want to work sooner than five years.
I will do the tasks that are put in front of me. I go to the doctors. I take the pills. I come here and learn about supplements. I try and take the supplements. I keep my blood glucose in a reasonable range. I give my cats love. I'm rambling...sorry.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
barb,
can someone call you around the time you are to take your pills OR a neighbor drop over to make sure you take your pills since you've organized them? xox
Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
You sort of gave me an idea. If I put them in the kitchen, where I am when I eat lunch, the best time to take my supplements, that ought to help. Or, I could set the timer on my old disconnected cell phone to go off daily at a certain time. Better yet, I can do both! In essence, I'll use the cell phone to call/remind myself. Cool!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
barb, good; creative ideas!! let us know how it works out ok hugs
Posted by FunkOdyssey (Member # 15855) on :
I've taken it for many months and it does help a bit with cognition.
Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
I go to a weekly meeting where we take turns reading out loud from a book. I had been having to use a piece of paper to sort of underline the line I was reading so I wouldn't lose my place. Even then, I would read slower than I used to and stumble over words more than I used to. I have memories of being proud of my ability to read out loud. Not so proud lately. Today was different. Suddenly, I found myself reading like I used to read. I didn't pick up the paper I had used to keep my place. I read nicely, in a flowing manner and with expression.
This is totally different than the past six months. I haven't read this well for as long as I can remember (which doesn't say a lot).
When driving, my perception was different today. It is hard to describe. I felt like the scenery was going by faster, my hands felt closer to me and the distance ahead of me on the streets seemed longer than it should seem.
I definitely am feeling some profound differences today. Only time will tell if it is truly the Namenda.
Posted by Skyler (Member # 11549) on :
Now, this is very interesting. Does anyone know if any studies are being done on this?
Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
In a nutshell, Namenda has worked a veritable miracle for me. I would describe the change as going from typical lyme brain with some depression in spite of loads of psych meds, to what I think NORMAL balanced healthy people experience!
Like someone said, namenda will either work or it won't. I did some research and the consumer reviews basically said the same thing. Either they had good results or nothing.
Get your doc to give you a free sample month. It is worth it to give it a try.
I have even been able to decrease my neurontin and my provigil and my caffeine!
I am in a pink cloud! I can deal with situations that used to annoy me...and I don't get irritated!
I am human again. I am alive. I am Barbara! I have my cognitive functioning back!
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Barb,
That is great that it worked for you. Thank you for your report, it is very interesting to hear your experience with this.
Posted by MarsyNY (Member # 7766) on :
Barb,
Wow, how wonderful.
This fascinated me so I looked up Namenda, interesting link below - used in Europe since 1982.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
mtree