I am writing you with hope that you might help me. My older brother has ALS. He is 47 years old and he has been diagnosed with it last month. For now, he looks ok, except for some minor speech problems (because of which he went to the doctor in the first place). Yet, we know that it will not last for long. So we are gathering information on possible effective treatments. Can Riluzole reverse the damage?
Unfortunately, no. You do understand that ALS is not something he will get better from, eventually. There is no cure, symptoms will get so much worse, that he might become fully dependant and then the fatal outcome comes. Still, things are not that grave. There are therapies that can help him maintain his physical and mental abilities. As for Riluzole, it is the only medication that will prolong his life, at least for couple of months.
My mum in the UK has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. She has some difficulties with slurred speech. Her consultant has prescribed Riluzole. I wanted to know what this drug does to help?
Thanks very much.
Debbie