Re:Rilutek

[Guest guest]

Rilutek slows down the progression of PLS and ALS, it works by decreasing

glutamate production.

for information about Rilutek CLICK on the next line:

http://pharminfo.com/pubs/msb/riluzole.html

Baclofen slows down the progression of PLS and ALS, it works by inhibiting

glutamate production.

for information about Baclofen CLICK on the next line:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/ms/baclofen.htm

* The action of Gabapentin (Neurontin) is similar to that of the drug

Riluzole (Rilutek) in

that they try to control the glutamate problem which

prevents the synapses from

transmitting the proper nerve impulses. However,

the two drugs work by different

mechanisms. Gabapentin seems to inhibit production

of glutamate, while riluzole keeps it

from being released at the place where one cell

meets another (the synapse).

Rilutek and Baclofen do not cure PLS or ALS it only slows the propgression

down.

Best regards,

Reyerse

your ALS Pal

Thomson wrote:

Rita, I am getting tested for a baclofen pump,

have AFO's that I am

picking up this week, I have physical therapy appointments.

In the

future, I hope there will be medication we can take to slow the

progression or stop it. That is my biggest concern.

Rulitek is

being prescribed for some of the PLSers in this group. Since

it has

been approved for ALS and it most likely would have a benefit to

PLS,

I'd like the opportunity to take it if my doctor wanted to prescribe

it. The problem is:

1.) Rulitek is very expensive.

2.) Since no one studies PLS, we don't have anyone looking to see

if

Rulitek would be beneficial to PLS. But notice the interesting

connection that the NIH study is making with PLS and Rulitek.

3.)If it was decided that Rulitek was beneficial for PLS, then

the

statement "no treatment" would no longer be valid. But would our

insurance companies or medicare cover it? It could be very

expensive

to take it for the rest of your life. But it would be worth

it if it

slows the progression.

Unfortunately, is will be difficult to measure the progression in

PLS

because it is fairly slow to begin with. But even with it

being

relatively slow, it is faster than what I am comfortable with,

since

I'm planning on being around another 30 years (or more), I'm 46

yrs

old now.

But if not Rulitek, something else will be coming along real soon.

I

want to be in a position to benefit.

> :

>

> I don't understand what your referring to as PLS expenses.

In my 20

> years or so, I have had no problems with insurance relative to

PLS.

> They have paid for all the tests, as there is "no treatment"

persay

for

> this disease, other than tests and certain medications like

Baclofan,

> what other coverages would you be looking for.

>

> Rita

>

>

> *************************************

> Some people succeed in spite of their handicap. Others

succeed

because

> of them.