vol2 - Page 81

 20. At the end of three months of ACTH therapy, the
 maximum recommended_ my doctor telephoned and told me to dis-
 continue the ACTH injections° He made an appointment to see me
 in his office.
 21. After three months of intensive therapy_ my
 condition was barely improved. I could not walk unaided and
 could only manage to Move about if supported by my wife while I
 used a cane or walker°
 22. The following week I kept my appointment, but
 staggered into the doctor's office. After a thirty-minute
 examination, it was clear the ACTH had not been as effective as
 the doctor had hoped. He told me that % had no choice but to
 immediately go back on to ACTH therapy for another three
 months°
 23. He was obviously concerned about this form of
 therapy and was careful to inform me of some of the potential
 adverse effects associated with long-term steroid therapy.
 These risks included the possibility of sudden heart attack or
 death due to respiratory failureo In an effort to reduce fluid
 retention, he also prescribed a powerfu3_ diuretic, Hygroton.
 He explained that the diuretic could cause kidney stones and in
 some cases death due to renal failures
 24. With grave reservations _[ agreed to continue
 using ACTH for another three months. My doctor doubled the
 dosage°
 25. This increasingly intense therapy provided few
 noticeable benefits. However, adverse effects became very