Depressed & sleepy!

Hi Girlish,

Sorry, that your are not feeling too good.  I am on miraxpex about 10 weeks, and yes it does makes you sleepy.  I am the opposite, I have lost appetite, and lost weight!!!! I feel its combination of meds, PD, feeling depressed, all interlinked, and yes I feel like that too many times.  Try and not let it get to you.  If you feel tired, catch up on rest, and maybe next day or two, you might just feel that little better.  Its just become life for me now, so I empathise with you.  PDers can often relate to each other.  Maybe you might need your dose altering or change of meds.  But hang on in there.  If you ever want to vent, I am always happy to listen and read your messages.

Hi, been on Mirapexin for 3 months and the tiredness is something you learn to live with, unfortunately. That aside, it certainly makes a big difference to some of the symptoms and I don't regret taking it. I guess there's no "perfect drug" at the end of the day.

Trouble is, I'm not sure its doing ANY good.

I don't see sufficient (any) benefit to keep me wanting to take it

I just hate this whole situation. I don't want PD.

I really want my motivation back! I want to do things...

Girlirish at 4.30 am!

Girlish,   Parkinson’s, like most neurodegenerative diseases, causes a certain amount of depression and apathy.   It is extremely important that you be on an antidepressant. From reading the contents in your posting, you do sound depressed.   Sometimes we need to have our doctor tweak up our antidepressant medications until our depression and apathy is under control.   I think I had to change antidepressants once, and then the doctor ended upping my dose several times until I reached a dose the worked for me.   Do not be afraid to address this subject with your doctor.   I frequently ask my husband how he thinks I am doing – just as a double check.   Depression is something that is totally controllable with medication.     I received my Parkinson’s diagnosis when I was in my 40’s and what a shock it was to me.   I walked out of the neurologist’s office with the feeling that my world had ended.   I then spent the next two months trying to read every piece of literature ever published on Parkinson’s – until I had PD over load.   It takes time for everything to settle in, but PD is by no means a death sentence.   Most people progress fairly slowly and have plenty of time to adjust their lifestyle and expectations.   I think you would benefit greatly from interacting with others that have PD.   Is there a local PD support group in your area?   This is a great way to meet others, share information, and gain a better understanding of the disease process, as well as learn what support services are available in your community.   Having someone to talk with that shares some of the same issues and concerns is a tremendous benefit.   For the most part, medications do a good job controlling PD symptoms like tremors and rigidity.   For those of us that suffer with balance issues, working with physical therapy will help identify if you would benefit from using a cane or a walking stick.   It is very important to remain physically active and PT can set up a routine the works for you.   Parkinson’s is an inconvenience – it requires us to make adjustments in our lifestyles.   Now you have an excuse to take that afternoon nap.   You will soon learn what works for you.   What times of the day you feel your best.   There are all kinds of tricks of the trade that make daily activities easier for us.   The key is to remember is you are not alone.   We are all in the same boat – we may have to paddle a little harder, but we still get the opportunity to enjoy life and our love ones. You have more friends that you think – and we are always here if you need information or just want to vent.  I hate to proof read for please ignore any errors.

Hello Girlirish,sorry ive not been around to cheer you up,been thu' ups and downs like you. Reading your post and also Stella Maries i feel i am back among friends. you yourself my dear have once again voiced a lot of my problems ,especialy putting on weight , craving for food<always in the fridge and larder> , no get up and go,the worst being i keep falling asleep. Always spilling tea etc in my lap as i nod off, never have warning before i drop off . Sometimes it is very embarassing, even tried to turn on microwave in my sleep also written silly things in my notebook while still asleep. The thing is i too am on mirapex also sinamet aand madopar cr, and a host of other meds.Like you i wonder is it the mirapex? I expect without these meds we would probably be in quite a sorry state . I just wish my eyes wre not affected, i cant see clearly now. Keep smiling and have a walk down memory lane , never know who you might meet....could be me, that would give us a good giggle . Take care , Grace

It is illegal to import prescription drugs from outside the U.S.The law doesn't stop it from occuring..I do know that neupro is illegally shipped to this country from Israel,and one could Google it.If you have a pharmacist you can confide in they can be a wealth of info.Wish you the best,and welcome to Healing Well Ed

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but I'll throw my two cents in for what they're worth.  I was diagnosed with PD nine years ago at age 39, and yes, it was, let's just say, life-altering news.  I have had issues with motivation as well.  I have been on Mirapex (to mostly good results) since time of diagnosis, and added Sinemet into the mix about a year ago.  The thing that makes this disease so challenging (I should say ONE of the things) is trying to sort out what issues are the result of the medication and what are the result of the illness itself.  And that mix obviously changes as the disease progresses.  One thing that I've learned is that treating diseases like Parkinson's is just as much an art as a science.  The advice I can add is that, in addition to reaching out for support, it is absolutely imperative that you find a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders, AND who you like, trust and can have open communication with.  You may have to try different meds at different dose levels until you find the right mix for you.  I hope that this helps at least a bit! 

Post Edited By Moderator (yekkimo) : 2/24/2009 6:41:00 PM (GMT-7)

Apathy and depression!  You found a group that knows what you're talking about.  I tried all of the tremor meds.  Most of them had little affect on the tremor, but they will all make you sleepy to some degree.  I almost wrecked the car many times while trying to stay awake.  If you have uncontrollable sleepiness, let your neurologist know.  Caffeine probably makes the tremor worse, but I decided a long time ago that my doctors are the team, and I'm the coach.  The most important thing that you can do is eliminate as much stress as possible.  I was extremely lucky that I was financially able to retire at the first of the year and it has been the best medicine ever.  If you have to simplify your life and trade in the suv for a little car, it's well worth it.  I'll jump down off the soapbox and go back to the weather channel, but there are no dumb questions and the answers are free, but don't come with any guarantees.