ME and My Ampligen Intake (Part 1)

If only the original forms were the only ones I had to worry about. The paperwork I have to complete every eight weeks is enough to make me quit the trial before I am even accepted. Pages and pages of functionality questions, and psych. eval. questions.

I think my ‘favorite’ question was “do the thoughts of others bother you?”  Are you serious? Why can’t my doctor just vouch for me that I am not some raving lunatic?

Anyway, I promised myself that I would write more about the actual process of the Ampligen intake as an informational source for anyone who might read this. 

The appointment lasted over 2 hours. There was extensive questioning about my entire medical history (even though this ME/CFS doctor has known me for 6 years) . There were pages of questions. About half asked me to score ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) the other half were psychological in nature. I will have to repeat these every eight weeks.

There was a full physical exam and full neurological exam.

There was a blood draw, a urine test, a chest x-ray and an EKG.

I was so tired when I got home. I hope Ampligen is a miracle drug or the process of getting it is going to literally kill me.

My next step is a second intake appointment in two weeks. Another blood panel and who knows what else awaits me.