Help with Amantadine

[Donnie1336]

Has anyone else experienced severe side effects from taking Amantadine. I was falling on a regular basis and getting hurt. I live in Denver and after seeing 2 different neurologist without any relief I went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville F!. where they are known for successful treatments for PD. The Neurologist I saw took my history (young onset started 16 yrs ago and only taking 1 1/2 tabs 3 times a day 25-100 carbidopa ? levodopa ). and prescribed adding Amantadine 5ml to my meds. Almost immediately my balance was greatly improved but I am experiencing several of the side effects the worse being embarrassing severe slurring and vision problems. The neurologist doesn’t seem to have an answer for what to do next. I was very active and social prior to the falling and If I have to choose between being housebound or the side effects I’ll take the side effects. However I’m hoping there is someone who has experience with Amantadine and has advise for me. .

[flyingfoxone]

My husband who has had Parkinson's for over 15 years (age 78) tried Amantadine for a very short period early on and discontinued due to Orthostatic Hypotension. Last year he started again in the Gocovri extended release version. All went pretty well for about 11 months except for the Orthostatic Hypotension which got worse and worse and became longer a longer to recover from. The last month he also developed edema and very high blood pressure (sometimes readings over 200/115), when he never had blood pressure issues before. We titrated off Gocovri and symptoms all returned to normal. Also for information I read that people with Orthostatic Hypotension should not take Melatonin as it can increase the OH. Interesting that you mention VISION problems. My husband has been seeing an Opthamologist for a couple of years and seemed to be having increasing problems the past year but I never connected to the Amantadine. What kind of vision problems are you having?

[Donnie1336 in reply to flyingfoxone]

I have blurred vision and stationary objects from a distance bounce around. Also whites look dingy. My neurologist said the symptoms will get better as I go along.

[flyingfoxone in reply to Donnie1336]

where are you located? My husband goes to a wonderful Neurologist/Opthamologist in Irvine, California (Dr. Crow), who is very knowledgeable about Parkinson's and vision conditions. Highly recommend or if you are in the area or you might check with a teaching hospital university in your area to see if they might have the same kind of specialist.

[Donnie1336 in reply to flyingfoxone]

I live in Denver. I have a past Mayo Clinic neurologist that is in private practice in Denver and then I go to Mayo about every 5 yrs. That’s interesting I just got an appointment at UC with the only neurologist/ ophthalmologists in Colorado . Appointments are months out.

[ion_ion]

I tried Amantadine for 3 month 2x100 mg a day for tremor but it did not help. At contrary, my mind went slow and I felt abnormal. I stopped it and I felt better. The single medication is really helping me is HDT. I take also 2x100 mg a day of c/l for tremor, too, but I don't feel is helping too much.

[Donnie1336 in reply to ion_ion]

I’m using the Amantadine for balance problems and it’s working amazing if there weren’t the side effects to deal with. Carbidopa levadopa 1 1/2 tabs every 4 or so hours work on my tremor

[Donnie1336 in reply to Donnie1336]

What is HDT? I’m open to anything and I too have a lazy mind. I hadn’t thought about it being the Amantadine

[ion_ion in reply to Donnie1336]

High Dose Thiamine. It is a lot info on this forum about it.

[Maura2608]

I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s which was later changed to “probable” msa. Was prescribed Amantadine about 2 years ago with no obvious side affects thankfully but I can’t say it helped either and in the last few months I developed swollen feet so my consultant has reduced my dosage with a view to coming off it altogether

[Donnie1336]

Yes I had not swollen feet at the beginning but it has subsided. I feel like all have to do is read the side effects and I get them LOL

[Blackfeather]

7 years ago when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's I was having severe balance problems when walking. I also began drooling in my sleep and in the morning would discover my pillow was wet with saliva. Because I thought I was possibly getting the flu I began taking vitamin D3 hoping to prevent or treat the flu bug before it got worse. Well I didn't get the flu but to my surprise within hours of taking vitamin d3 my balance problem ceased. I haven't drooled in my sleep since nor has the balance problem returned .

[ConnieD in reply to Blackfeather]

How much vitamin D do you take? Connie

[Blackfeather]

I usually take 1 10,000 iu. a day. Solgar brand. I think the gel caps are better than tablets and capsules. Now brand makes a 5,000 iu that I'm going to try. Vitamin D may be more effective splitting the dose.

[Donnie1336]

Interesting about the D3. After a blood test I was told I had too much D3 in my system. I was taking them for energy. I’ll have too really think about my balance prior to quitting it.