PD and Hypothyroidism

Hello

I was diagnosed with PD 8 years ago and am now 54

Im currently on 1mg Rasagiline (Azilect) and .7mg X3 daily Pramapexole (Mirapexin) but my  symptoms are no longer controlled plus the side effects are terrible.

Ive previously been on Ropinerole (so sick & tired) Pergolide (great but Dr will no longer prescribe due to longterm side effects).

Ive  just noticed a swelling in my neck (quite obvious -how did i miss it ?!!)  which Dr says is a goitre and am waiting results of thyroid tests. Lots of the symptoms caused by an underactive thyroid seem the same as PD ie Muscle pain, stiffness, tiredness/exhaustion, weakness, constipation, mental confusion, slowness

So Im now wondering if this is why my PD meds have appeared to have stopped working when in fact they are but the effect  is masked by the thyroid problem.

Anyone with PD and Thyroid problems out there who can relate to this?

UPDATE I was wondering about a link between Hypothyroidism & PD..........There has been research done but it just says.........                  

'both share common manifestations and coexistence can be a source of diagnostic delay and confusion. Given the potential overlap of signs and symptoms we believe that Thyroid function should be assessed in all patients showing worsening symptoms that cannot be explained by disease progression or resistance to therapy adjustment'.

Now I have had my thyroid level results and they are normal. As the goitre is hard and asymmetrical Im now waitng for an ultra sound scan to determine nature of the problem. Cyst? Tumor? Great !!!just what I needed to go with the Asthma GERD & PD.

Consultant has now prescribed 'Neupro' patches for PD ...........anyone any experience of Rotigotine?

A fed up Mayfly

Post Edited (Mayfly) : 4/1/2007 12:43:51 AM (GMT-6)

Mayfly,

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 15 years ago, and PD a little over 1 year ago.  Luckily I have been on synthroid for years and it has kept my hypothyroidism under control.  I now just have bloodwork once per year to ensure that the medication is still working correctly. 

Keep working with you doctor to find the right combination of meds that work for you. 

I take Sinemet and Stalevo for PD.

Best wishes!

JB

Read this on a FB thyroid site (Thyroid Sexy) today: "I read that Linda Ronstadt says she's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She has Hashimoto's/hypothyroidism. I saw my brother end up with Parkinson's symptoms from under treated hypothyroidism. The doctors could never figure it out of course (However I did, after doing research on it years after he died)
Linda Ronstadt looks classically hypothyroid, she has the moon face, can't get rid of the weight etc. says she's lost her voice and can't sing anymore. I'd bet money she's under treated for the hypothyroidism and her Parkinson symptoms are a result of it.
Read here:

"CASE REPORT:

We report the case of a female patient who had been suffering from Parkinson s disease for 17 years and started to present on off fluctuations that did not respond to therapy. Hypothyroidism was observed and the hormone replacement therapy used to resolve the problem allowed the Parkinsonian fluctuations to be controlled.

CONCLUSIONS:

We believe that it is very wise to suspect hypothyroidism in patients known to be suffering from Parkinson s disease, and especially so in cases where the clinical condition worsens and symptoms no longer respond properly to antiparkinsonian treatment. These observations stress the possible role played by thyroid hormones in dopaminergic metabolism and vice versa."