Ray
I'm Ray. I’m 55.
Rhonda
My name is Rhonda, and I am Ray's wife.
Rhonda
Ray's dad had Huntington's disease. He wasn’t, wasn't able to walk. He ended up in a wheelchair. So that was kind of a really scary thought for me. I just assumed that our lives would be over very soon as we knew it.
Rhonda
So the first symptoms I noticed of his chorea was at night while he was sleeping, his arms would, you know, kind of start flailing and hitting and kind of it would just be like his whole body.
Ray
When I was driving to work one day, my hands started just shaking like this. It’s just weird you know, having your hands move and no, no explanation.
Rhonda
At that time. It was I was feeling a little bit desperate, like something needs to change. We can't do this anymore.
Rhonda
We made an appointment with the neurologist that week talking to her about how bad it had gotten, and she said, well, I have this drug that I would like for you to try.
Rhonda
Yeah, so his movements just became less and less as the doses increased. His sleeping now is very different. No more kicks, no more punches, no more flailing around in bed. We both noticed that small things that he would do with his hands became easier.
Ray
Yeah.
Rhonda
Buttoning his shirt, putting the leash on the dog's collar, tying his shoes. Those things became easier. So, yeah, it has far exceeded our expectations.
Rhonda
We're looking forward to taking a trip to Yellowstone. Hopefully taking our grandkids and doing some hiking. I don't know that we would have been able to continue hiking with his chorea had it continued on without the medication. I feel like that we're actually like living the way we've always wanted to live now. By going on vacations and being outdoors a lot more and having grandkids and yeah, I can't imagine life if he didn't have the medication.
Ray
It's really a deal maker for me. It just helps so much.
APPROVED USES
AUSTEDO® XR (deutetrabenazine) extended-release tablets and AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets are prescription medicines that are used to treat:
the involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington’s disease. AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO do not cure the cause of the involuntary movements, and it does not treat other symptoms of Huntington’s disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions.
movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).
It is not known if AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO are safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO can cause serious side effects in people with Huntington’s disease, including: depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal actions. Do not start taking AUSTEDO XR or AUSTEDO if you are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts. Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts or feelings. This is especially important when AUSTEDO XR or AUSTEDO is started and when the dose is changed. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become depressed, have unusual changes in mood or behavior, or have thoughts of suicide.
Individual results may vary.
Please see the Important Safety Information at the end of this video.