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When is the best time to begin medication for first time?

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Posted 1/31/2007 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
My neurologist wants to start me on Mirapexin (pramipexole) but I don't have a lot of PD symptoms.  Yes one shakey hand with dystonia, with depression and exhaustion....

Should you stay off for as long as you can?

He said starting an agonist makes dyskinesias less likely when you start on sinamet.  Or not so bad..

Very frightened of medication!

girlirish

Posted 2/1/2007 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Girlirish,I,ve been on mirapex for about 6 yrs.along with sinemet.This combo works for me ,and keeps my symptoms down.Disclaimer:we all react differently to different meds.
You say you don't have a lot of symptoms:tremor,dystonia,depression,and exhaustion.Sounds like a full plate.If you have confidence in your neuro you should listen to him/her.If you don't get a new one.Unfortunately meds are all we have to lessen the symptoms of PD.(D.B.S would not be an option for you in the early stages of PD),and I'm not overlooking exercise,and diet which are important.If Mirapex doesn't help or causes side effects for you there are other agonists available.Wish you the best.Ed
Posted 2/1/2007 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I was diagnosed at 40, 18 months ago. I started on Mirpexin 3 weeks ago, my first medication and I'm gradually building up the dose. There's a long way to go yet but I am noticing some slight improvements which will hopefully be moreso as the dosage increases, so I'd say give it a go and good luck.

Posted 2/1/2007 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Any bad side effects?

Goirlirish
Posted 2/1/2007 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing major, drowsiness mainly. I'm still waiting for the online gambling addiction to kick in ....
Posted 2/2/2007 3:34 AM (GMT 0)

Girlish,

I think that only you know when it's right to start meds. Depends on how comfortable - mentally and physicallly - you are with your symptoms.

I've been taking Requip, a dopamine agonist, since diagnosed over 5 years ago. Works for me. Sometimes have drowsiness, but work around it by either drinking caffeine or timing meds when not doing something critical - like driving alone all day.

My personal choice is to save sinemet for later. It unquestionably works the best - but can (not always)  cause dyskinesia. Again, a personal choice. Just make sure you make an educated one (decision).

Best of luck!

Posted 2/2/2007 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
5 years on an agonist is pretty good!

I don't know whether feeling tired and depressed warrants agonists. I don't have much shakiness and the dystonia is only (really) at evening times.

But I would take it if it made me feel less emotionally dead and exhausted. I just feel lousy. Sooooooo
tired!

Girlirish
Posted 2/2/2007 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
bobw

This might sound awful but how did you decide to go on drugs. I guess I'm asking how bad people leave things to get before medication.

I've just been for a jog and walk and gosh if I can do that do I need medication?

Girlirish
Posted 2/2/2007 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Irish Girl

Well, I was diagnosed around 18 months ago and the docs advised against immediate medication, the thinking being a) they can monitor the progression of the disease and b) I can come to terms with the symptoms. A year or so down the line we've opted to try meds as the symptoms had definitely got noticeably worse. I'm hoping the meds will help, I'll let you know in a few weeks when I'm on full dose. As regards "I've just been for a jog and walk and gosh if I can do that do I need medication?" I guess that's something to discuss with your own medical guys, but exercise is beneficial in its own right, and I don't think you need to be clinging to a zimmer before you're prescribed meds.

Hope this helps.

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