“Ampyra’s been part of my way of continuing to walk and live my life.” -Lisa

Help Them Talk About Their Walking

What if someone doesn't want to talk about their walking

Talking about walking issues or the changes that might be starting to happen can be hard for some people with multiple sclerosis (MS). You can start a conversation by bringing up news about advancements in treatments for MS or walking.

Here are some strategies for talking about walking:

  • Start simple — tell your loved one that you want the best for them, and that you have questions about their walking. They might be waiting for an opportunity to admit they have concerns
  • Ask if your loved one will take a walking self-assessment, then share it with their healthcare team
  • Remember that your voice doesn't have to be the only one asking about walking
  • Suggest your loved one bring up any issues they're having with their healthcare team
  • Establish your own relationship with your loved one's healthcare team. Make sure doctors know that you are there, and that you are able to help discuss sensitive issues

The Talking to Your Doctor Discussion Guide can help you both

One easy way to prepare for appointments is to write down questions and concerns ahead of time. This will help establish a dialogue. It will also make sure you don’t forget anything important.

Using the Talking to Your Doctor Discussion Guide — a free, printable checklist that you create — you can go to each appointment ready to get the information you need on behalf of the person you love.

As part of the Guide, your loved one can even take a simple assessment of their walking. This can help the healthcare team come up with the best treatment plan.

AMPYRA Conversations

Watch a one-on-one interview with a leading MS specialist as he talks about why the insight of friends and family may be helpful.

AMPYRA is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with MS. AMPYRA improved walking in significantly more people with MS than placebo (sugar pill) in two clinical trials (34.8% vs. 8.3% and 42.9% vs. 9.3%). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

Not everyone responds to AMPYRA. Individual results may vary.

Why friends and family are a valuable resource
Open to see text version
Dr. Thrower:

I think a valuable resource for the person with MS uh.. are would be their friends and family. Get feedback from friends and family members. Again, I can't tell you how frequently we will be sitting in the exam room, and the person with MS is saying "Everything is great, Doc! I'm doing wonderfully!"

And their spouse or significant other or friend is going, "No, not so much. And- and things really are not as stable as they're pretending they are."

Kristie Salerno Kent is a paid spokesperson for Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. Kristie is living with MS and is currently taking AMPYRA. The people interviewed by Kristie for the AMPYRA Conversations video series are real people living with MS and real healthcare professionals who treat people with MS. All participants have been compensated for their time.
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AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

IMPORTANT NEW SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure, or have certain types of kidney problems, or are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

You could have a seizure even if you never had a seizure before. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if your kidneys have a mild decrease of function, which is common after age 50.

Your doctor may do a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working, if that is not known before you start taking AMPYRA.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

AMPYRA may cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, or hives.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) is indicated as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

IMPORTANT NEW SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take AMPYRA if you have ever had a seizure, or have certain types of kidney problems, or are allergic to dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine), the active ingredient in AMPYRA.

Take AMPYRA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

You could have a seizure even if you never had a seizure before. Your chance of having a seizure is higher if you take too much AMPYRA or if your kidneys have a mild decrease of function, which is common after age 50.

Your doctor may do a blood test to check how well your kidneys are working, if that is not known before you start taking AMPYRA.

AMPYRA may cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking AMPYRA and call your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or tongue, or hives.

AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.

The most common adverse events for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, back pain, and problems with balance.

Before taking AMPYRA tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AMPYRA will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if AMPYRA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take AMPYRA or breast-feed. You should not do both.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

AMPYRA® is a registered trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | AMPYRA® is marketed by Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. and manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (APIL), Ireland | AMPYRACONNECT™ is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | The stylized path logo is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | The stylized Acorda logo is a trademark of Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. | © 2013 Acorda Therapeutics®, Inc. All rights reserved.

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