Memantine: Hello all Has anyone else been... - PSP Association

PSP Association

9,266 members11,356 posts

Memantine

Northstar1 profile image
18 Replies

Hello all

Has anyone else been prescribed memantine please ?

Written by
Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
WifeLilyRose profile image
WifeLilyRose

For what please?

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to WifeLilyRose

It's used to help reduce dementia symptoms it blocks receptors in the brain that glutamate would normally bind to. It is thought people with Alzheimer's maybe overexposed to glutamate.

NanBabs profile image
NanBabs

Yes, my husband was prescribed it by the Memory clinic but sadly, like other drugs we tried, it had little effect that we were aware of. You may be luckier - it`s always worth a try.

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to NanBabs

My husband was psychotic in January he is prescribed respiradone and memantine. He also has metazapine.We don't know which drug or the combination has helped him as it was a crisis situation. He has CBD.

Yes my loved one has been prescribed it. Seems not to help much at all..

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to Stephanielayell82

My husband was prescribed memantine metazapine and respiradone don't know which has helped but he seems to have bounced back improvements in mobility speech coordination. Obviously not back to normal pre illness but an improvement non the less xxx

Stephanielayell82 profile image
Stephanielayell82 in reply to Northstar1

I'm glad your seeing improvement with you husband I will look into the respiradone. Thank you

Railfan profile image
Railfan

Not memantine but I was prescribed an Exelon Patch (Rivastigmine) for the same reason. I've been on it since February with no results or changes. My dosage is going up. Exelon is a patch.

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to Railfan

Hi Railfan was the memantine prescribed to manage dementia symptoms please

Railfan profile image
Railfan in reply to Northstar1

I wasn't prescribed Memantine. I was Prescribed Exelon for my dementia symptoms. It is supposed to work with Alzheimer's patients and my Neurologist has me on it to see if it makes a difference for me but so far it hasn't.

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to Railfan

How long have you been taking it for please

Railfan profile image
Railfan in reply to Northstar1

I've been putting on an Exelon Patch every morning since early February.

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to Railfan

I wonder if it's the respiradone that is helping my husband given memantine or exelon doesn't seem to help x Thankyou

Cinnylou profile image
Cinnylou

My husband had been prescribed that at one point. Seemed to help for the first couple of weeks....don’t know if it was me just being hopeful and seeing something that wasn’t there. But it really had no effect.

Northstar1 profile image
Northstar1 in reply to Cinnylou

Thankyou Cindy xxx

Tweetybird21 profile image
Tweetybird21

Hi, my Mum has Cbd and was prescribed Memantine in the early stages. She has since come off it as I read somewhere on here that there was a possible link to it and contractures. I'm afraid I can't really say whether it made a difference or not but I don't think there's been much cognitive change since Mum came off it (6 months ago). It might be worth trying for a few months maybe just to see if it helps and of course everyone is different so what may not work for one person may work for another. Good luck.

Bojszi profile image
Bojszi

My husband was prescribe Memantine but as he has reacted severely to other similar medications (any Parkinsons meds) I have not given it to him. I have read that the benefits do not outweigh the side effects

Debspottery1 profile image
Debspottery1

Yes, my husband has been taking Memantine hcl 5 mg tablet - 3 per day for a while now-maybe a year and a half- for balance issues- although I really don't know if it's helping- but he believes it does, so I guess that's what matters to him. Neuro doc said it was an Alzheimers drug. We use CBD oil 60 mg- from Charlottes web and the whole cannibis plant in pipe. We tried the vape and it made him cough/choke. Our problem is repeated falls as he leans to the left, bruises on bruises on the same hip area. Now his spine is twisted from favoring the one side, reacting to pain. We see chiropractor as much as we can. when he can't walk, I massage the muscles- which are in spasm. I use OTC pain cream and an emollient cream and massage the legs from ankle to buttocks. If you use a medium firm touch and press into the muscle about every 4 inches, work your way up the back of each leg, it relieves some of the cramping. The same applies to the back- but you can use circular motion as well as work from the spine outward. We have hospice but they aren't allowed to do "massage"- they can apply ointments but I have to do the "therapy". It does help the balance because he's not reacting to the pain as much. We don't want to start the cycle of muscle relaxants and morphine, which will lead to other bowel issues, so this is our best option at this stage.

I've noticed he is cold all the time now. Hands and feet especially, so he's in long sleeves and warm stretch pants even in warm weather. His color is pale, so even though his vitals look good, he isn't moving around a lot, and freezing is getting a lot worse- especially during meals. He forgets to chew-so meals can last an hour or more and I have to tap him or rub his back to stimulate his brain.

I know - it's a lot of information- but there isn't much detail available out there in the PSP information searches. So we all have these puzzle pieces to try to fit together.

I hesitate to even call for a Neuro appt. anymore. It seems like a waste of time and energy.

I learn more from all of you here. God Bless.