Starting Ampyra

My Legs were giving out on me.

Since December last year, I’ve experienced a new exacerbation, a radical loss of strength and control of my legs. When I crouch, I can not lift my body upright. I have to fall to the floor, then get to my knees and lift myself up with my arms. I can not walk more than 100 feet without having to sit and rest for five minutes.

My job requires that I walk throughout hospitals inspecting existing construction, and anticipate new and expanding construction. I’m a construction estimator, specializing in healthcare construction. I’m only 49 years old, and I do not want to be constrained to using a walker. If I lose my legs, it will be a tragedy.

My gate, the pace and manner of walking, is so impaired, I qualified for a prescription of Ampyra, “the walking drug”. It has taken 3 weeks to get my insurance qualifications, doctors prior authorization and pharmacy approvals. As part of the processes, I was inform that my co-pay would be $1,600. However, I enrolled in a program sponsored by Ampyra, that lower my co-pay to $40. Thanks to Acorda Therapeutics.

And today, the prescription arrived via FedEx, 10mg twice a day. And now we start, hoping for improved control and relief from pain. I have so much anticipation, I expect, I’ll experience a high placebo effect. I’m going to try to walk around the block this evening and then expand my walking regularly. This will be my blog experience.

Thanks for sharing this experience with me.