Clinical Trial

Dennis signed up for a clinical trial for a drug being tested right at this moment. It seems this new drug has been used successfully in Japan for 18 years to control orthostatic hypotension. It is anticipated it will be available sometime next year, here in the US.

For those of you who did not practice your new vocabulary words, orthostatic hypotension is the extreme drop of blood pressure upon standing. This causes syncope, fainting, and is one of the more life-threatening symptoms that comes along with the diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy.

Dennis is currently taking the drug midodrine to control his blood pressure difficulties. While this drug has managed most of the fainting issues, it also keeps his blood pressure fairly high all of the time. This causes a new set of problems such as the possibility of a stroke or heart attack. Sorry, if you are a constant reader, you have heard all of this before. As a great teacher, however, I know that repetition is important.

This new drug, droxidopa, appears to be safer and more effective than midodrine. Maybe it will control the ups and downs of his blood pressure without adding any new symptoms. Maybe it will stabilize his blood pressure for just a little while.

We are still counting our blessings. Changes have slowed and we are happy. At the same time, we will continue to look for new drugs and treatments that will make his/our life as full as imaginable.