http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Multiple_Sclerosis_MS/forum/9292346-amprya

The drug is a potassium blocker. Your nerve signals work via a process called a sodium(Na) potassium (K) pump so by blocking one of these minerals you affect nerve signaling.

This drug didn't do so much for my hubby but Increasing his potassium did help ie add banana, potassium supplement, & gatorade.
Something to look into with your doc....or not

Best wishes
EP

im looking to get the script too but will be donkeys years before its available in the uk

Unless someone received the medication in a trial, it is a bit early to be checking on Ampra in the USA. The medication came out in March, and it is taking doctors time to organize the script process with the drug manufacturer and the prescribing pharmacy. My doctor advised me to give them a month, so just today by coincidence, I called my doc to check on the status of my script. It will be interesting to see what other members are experiencing with issuing a script for Ampra (they might have been on the medication a month?) that are located in the USA and trying to get it. My thought was for you to keep watch, that more information may be coming from users of Ampra, just not as fast as you might expect since it's release.

I have been taking it for about two weeks now, and I have definitely seen improvement. My walking speed and range had worsened over time. I can definitely say that my speed has increased, especially early in the day. My range had been about 6 or 7 blocks, and that was pretty much it for the day, with the walking getting slower and slower and feet dragging all the way. My range has increased, and my family has noted this improvement as well.

I'm so glad to hear that it's working for someone! Walking is my major complaint. I saw my neuro today and he filled out the paperwork for me to get it. I had planned on asking him about Bioness L300 or WalkAide, so the timing is perfect.

My Dr. sent my paperwork to Ampyra patient support on 03-03-10, I finally rec'd my meds on 03-26 & started on 03-27. So far, I feel a little bit different. I have to walk (with walker) quite a distance to get to my office at work. I am timing myself. I do not walk very well because of a back problem so it is hard to tell what is causing me to not walk normal (back or ms). So far no change in the balance problem. I will keep everyone updated on my timing walking to work. I need to have someone walk it for me to see how long it takes for someone without ms.

#6, you mentioned no change yet that you have measured in your walking, and no change in your balance. I don't believe Ampra is the type of medication that improvements come after being on the medication for a certain length of time? I believe it goes in your system, works, and then goes out of your system. I could be wrong, and would like to know if I am because I'm hoping to get my script soon. Balance is one of my biggest problems and I am hoping that Ampra will assist with that immediately.

I called the National MS society and asked to speak with someone about Ampyra on 4-09. She told me that the trials shown improvement over time. Right now my hike to my office with my walker takes me 7 1/2 minutes and it takes a person 2 1/2 without MS. This is my gage to see if my walking is improving. I will welcome any improvement and have made my mind up not to have a breakdown if the improvement is minimal. Ampyra shows me progress and hope.

I will start ampyra tomorrow. I have used 4-AP for about 3 years now. (4-ap really does work and I can not miss a dose or it no longer works) I hope Ampyra works even better, we will see. Robertofhouston--were you taking 4-AP in the past? If so, are you seeing better results? Wish me luck that it works better! Ampyra phone #888-881-1918---there is aide out there if you don't have insurance-just ask them.---I will keep you updated.

Well, my first month's supply is about to end, and the next month's supply should be arriving today. I have definitely noticed an improvement regarding range and walking speed, wherein almost falling over the top of my feet when they can't keep up hasn't happened so much! About a week ago, I was worried that I hadn't taken my evening dose, but I didn't risk taking what might have been another. In reality, I hadn't actually taken it, and next morning, I was back to walking about like I had been, slowly with feet dragging. This is not a "magic bullet," but it has definitely been a path toward improvement. It seems unfortunate that the imrovement doesn't last for a very long time!

I agree that it doesn't last. I take my first pill at 6 am and when I walk to my office at 7:30 a.m. things are better good and seem to stay better until mid-afternoon and by 4:30 when I leave work I really struggle.It is like a car running out of gas, goes great until it gets to the bottom of the tank. I get flustrated as it is like a dream,a teaser, and then it is gone. I thought I was imagining it until now and I read what you wrote. We just haveto hang in there and keep hoping.

I see my PT tomarrow and I am wondering how you are doing on Ampyra? I had only a couple good days and this week my walking has been terrible. My feet are really hard to pick up (especially right foot). My PT is very interested in the progress of other people. I am not giving up hope but I am a little scared that it won't work for me. I guess a few good days in better than none. Also, what is this treatment other people talk about that is 4-AP? My neuro will not let me try shots as she has diagnosed me as the second stage. I appreciate your input as well as all folks on Ampyra.Keep the faith for better days ahead with Ampyra.

I think I have been doing pretty well with this, although I wonder if the cost (even if only my insurance copayment) is justified. As I said previously, this has apparently helped my walking speed and range, but as you and I noted, this seems to wear off as the day progresses. I have better days and worse days, but I wonder whether I need to take this for the rest of my life. I, wimp that I am, do NOT do shots, however! :(