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Can any medicine stop the tremors?

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Parkinson's Disease
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Posted 4/18/2008 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I've been posting on another site, but need some advice for my 88 year old MIL. She says she was diagnosed with ET 20 years ago. Lately, she has begun to shake all over, even her feet. A neurologist here in our town prescribed Sinemet. After a month she wasn't much better, so today he prescribed Requip. Has anyone had any experiences with this drug?

Jennie

Posted 4/22/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the Requip isn't working like we hoped it would. My MIL thinks she is worse. But I just told her to hang in there because I read somewhere where it takes several week to start working. Who Knows?
Posted 4/23/2008 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
nene,Most meds take time before becoming effective.I've never taken requip,but do take mirapex along with stalevo.This combo seems to stop my tremors for about 3 hrs at a dosing.Mirapex and requip work in a similar manner.Anyone out there that has found any med effective for them on tremors?Please let us know.Wishing you,and your MIL the best.Ed
Posted 4/28/2008 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Nene,

I have Parkinson's disease and my primary symptom is tremor. I don't know how meds for PD compare to meds for ET. I can only tell you my experiences with PD and tremor.

 

I take Requip and it helps reduce my tremor. Requip is a dopamine agonist - the primary other dopamine agonist for PD is Mirapex. (Neupro, a dopamine agonist in the form of a patch was recently recalled due to efficacy issues - delivery mechanism - NOT due to safety issues ... we hope it will be back on the market soon.) Other PD-related meds for tremor are Artane and Inderal (is actually a blood pressure med and has another multii-syllable name that starts with Pro...). One drawback to Artane is that it sometimes seems to cause (?) cognitive issues.

 

Best thing is to talk to your doc/neuro/movement disorder specialist (MDS) about your symptoms, your reactions (to meds, etc), your concerns. With PD everyone's symptoms and responses to meds are unique. I realize you are asking about ET. The best thing is to educate yourself and take an active role in your treatment program. You are your own best advocate.

 

lizzy4451

Posted 4/30/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I just stopped to see if anyone kne about parnate and parkinson's, but this caught my eye.

My grandpa took Inderal (propranolol), Requip, and a low dose of the benzo ativan. I have tremors becaue of a medication I take so they put me on ativan and they went away, granted I don't have Parkinson's. Sorry if I offend anyone.

quietpain
Posted 5/1/2008 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the replies. My MIL has been on Requip for about two weeks now , and she seems to be shaking worse than ever. However, she takes 13 different kinds of medicines for various ailments (nothing life threatening). But her doctors have knowledge of all her medicines because we keep a detailed list of each medication and show the doctors the list at each visit. The family has agreed that she needs to be in an assisted living facility so she can be helped around the clock, and she accepts this, too. On Friday she ups the dose of Requip again. This may be positive.
Posted 5/2/2008 5:27 AM (GMT 0)

quiet pane, we appreciate your input and objectivity. No offense whatsoever.

 

nene,  you mention that your mother-in-law started requip 2 weeks ago. Usually there is  a period where you titrate up on the meds. It took me about 6 weeks to stabillize when I started Requip. During those 6  weeks I lost my appetite and about 10 lbs ... I didn't have 10 lbs to lose (then ... could use it now ... lol). After 6 weeks my appetite and weight stabilized. I eventually gained the weight back (which was a good thing at that time). Please feel free to post any additional questions or concerns.

 

lizzy4451

Posted 5/2/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
lizzy 4451,
Your words are encouraging, for sure. She is experiencing appetite loss, and she is upping her medicine this week. It is so hard for us to see her giving up. I'll relay your words to her. Hopefully, this will give her hope too.
Thanks, Jennie
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