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Posted 1/3/2010 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

I'm new, 55yrsold, diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Have a lot of difficulty w/ fatigue and depression. Currently on Mirapex & Effexor - neither of which seem to be doing much. Wondering how others deal w/ these symptoms. Thanxs
Posted 1/3/2010 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
Have been dealing with depression for at least ten years and am 46 yrs old or young which ever. I take medication for a while and then they seem to wear off so to speak and then they try something different. My body becomes use to the medication. However; along with the medication I also need to stay physically active which at times is a challenge because of the depression. I also live in Western NY where the snow flies and it is neg. 4 degrees out. My thereapist say I should join a gym but that takes money so I'm thinking the Y as they have scholarships for people on low incomes. Going to the library might help or getting out to visit friends or family. or just getting on the phone to talk to some one you haven't in a while. I wish you all the best as I know how hard depression can be but it can be managed and also be kind to yourself. I hope you have supports in your life as well.
Posted 1/4/2010 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Many thanx, Linx. I also live in upstate NY and have trouble dealing w/ the winter weather and getting outside (In fact, my neurologist is located in Rochester). Never used to mind the winter that much before my PD, and it's easy to isolate. As you mentioned, physical exercise while depressed is a catch-22; no motivation and fatigue is a difficult hurdle to surmount. Fortunately I have a supportive wife, but also a 10 yr old son I'm responsible for - since she's the one who works. I often get worried that I won't be able to hold up my end. We've been discussing a move south if my wife can land a job. The docs keep tinkering with meds, but nothing seems to really do the trick, so I'm just plodding on - hoping that something will work. I know that I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm not what I used to be. Even typing is a challenge! Thank you again for responding.
Posted 1/5/2010 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
thewind,Have you considered sinemet for pd control?Just my curiosity if you have ever tried this med.I wish you the best,and welcome to HealingWell.Ed ps I'm also having problems typing to nite,and I live inN.H.,and we share a common dislike for winter.
Posted 1/5/2010 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
yekkimo, I'm assuming Sinemet is the next stop on this train. I was on Azilect for a short period, but had nasty side-effects, including red spots (petechiae) on my extremities. I am also somewhat afraid of starting Sinemet due to possible side effects - like TD. I have been holding out because I'm still in early stage. My main frustration is the lethargy and depression I currently experience. Ultimately I'll try whatever works. I've read up on PD meds, but any additional info on Sinemet side-effects would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted 1/5/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
thewind,sinemet was the first stop on my train,and I have no regrets.I'm currently on stalevo(sinemet,and entacapone)100,4x and mirapex.5 3x.today I took a stalevo 110,and mirapex.50 at 9:30 am ,and again at 1:pm.This enabled me to go to the movies ,and out to dinner with little or no pd symptoms.Now at 5;30 the meds are wearing off.Ihave very few side effectsand then again i'm not sure which are med or pd induced.I have tried functioning without sinemet,and it is a no go.This is just my experience,and we all have different ones with the same med.One phiosophy i have hrd from neuros. is that the longer you wait to go on sinemet the less effective it becomes,and that it is not advisable to let your dopamine levels get to low before using levodopa.I'm 65,and was dx at 53. Ed
Posted 1/7/2010 2:08 AM (GMT 0)

I tried Requip and then Mirapex and both made me tired and nauseous so I reluctantly got on Sinimet--I was worried about side effects. I will say the Sinimet works (my worst symtpom is Dystonia which causes my toes to curl and makes it hard to walk and the Sinimet pretty much takes care of that to the point that I can work out, etc.) I have noticed Sinimet makes me feel shakey and jittery sometimes and I do not like the way it feels but it is controllable and no one appears to notice (I have not disclosed my PD to many people). My doc says I can take a different RX for the shakiness but I really do not want to add another drug to the regimine at least until I really have to. BTW, I have been on Azilect since the begining. I think it contributes to me feeling drowsy sometimes but my doc says it may slow down progression of the disease so I am willing to deal with that.  

Of course everyone with PD is different but hope that helps. Good luck.

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