New Diagnosis

The Orienteer,

Welcome to HealingWell. Glad you found this site.

 

First of all, no two people with PD respond the same to types/dosage/etc of meds. Sinemet is known to address symptoms the best. However, as with most meds, it can have side effects. Educate yourself on the side effects. My preference is to start out on other meds and save Sinemet for later.

 

You are your best advocate. Educate yourself on meds, dosages, side effects etc. My preference - and that of many newbies with PD  - is to start out on a dopamine agonist such as Mirapex or Requip. There also is a patch -rotigotine, that has proven effective for many.  My preference is to delay Sinemet until I have exhausted other alternatives. Others on this site are more favorable about taking Sinemet earlier in their treatment plan. The important part is to educate yourself and take an active role in your treatment plan.

 

I am a believer in the benefits of exercise. I have participated in a non-contact, boxing-based fitness program for people with PD since 2006. In fact, I am one of several in the class ending a 2-year study comparing rigorous exercise (like my class) to physical therapy. Results are not officially available, but indications are that it slows the progression.

 

I am not a runner (simply because I don't like to run), but know runners who are not that affected when running. They (and I) notice more challenges when walking than when running. When I walk, I have to think to take a big step and heal first (rather than 'slap' foot on ground). When I run, it just comes together without thinking about it.  So it's interesting that you notice it when running.

 

Best of luck!

lizzy4451

Orienteer
I started with PD symptoms November 2007 after major surgery went bad (peritonitis). Diagnosed September 2008. First neuro prescribed sinemet. After research I decided that I did not want to take sinemet. I wanted to try Azilect. It has been shown to slow the progression of PD. Neuro refused to prescribe it. SAID IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE!! Went to a MDS December 2008. He agreed not to start sinemet until later. I have been taking Azilect and Artane since. Last fall I started Requip. I am doing fine. Nobody can tell I have PD.

Azilect is expensive. about $13 per pill once a day. Worth every penny to me.

Please go to a MDS if you can. Hope you can try something besides sinemet.

Dan

Hello Orienteer

I was diagnosed with PD in 2008. Until last year I held off taking medication. My symptoms were entirely on the left side (I'm right-handed), and consisted of leg drag causing and a weakness and tremor in the left hand. My balance wasn't very good, but I've never fallen over or dropped things. I also have muscular rigidity in the PD side which becomes worse when I get cold.

The neorologist said that I had unilateral PD and that it wouldn't migrate to the other side. So far he's been right. When people started asking me what was wrong with my leg I decided to try Sinemet (I hadn't told anyone about my condition because I was embarrassed about it). I started off with Sinemet 25/100 3 x daily. It took about three weeks before I started feeling any benefit. It stopped the leg drag and I can type with the left hand again. The rigidity eased up somewhat and the balance is better.

Side effects: nausea at first, but that seems to be gone now. Sometimes a sort of dizzy feeling which weaars off about an hour after taking the medication. Sometimes I get a bit blocked, but (don't laugh) prunes help to keep things moving. Otherwise no short-term side-effects so far. I reduced the dose to 2 x daily because I found that it made no difference whether I took 2 or 3 tablets a day. I'm hoping that there won't be any long-term side effects.

I noticed a few things about the medicinal effects about Sinement. 1. I have to maintain a constant level for it to do any good - if I skip a few doses the PD symptoms get worse. 2. It works best on an empty stomach. 3. I take one tablet in the morning and the effects last until about four in the afternoon. When I take my second dose of the day there is sometimes no effect or just a weak effect. I don't know what the reason is.

I know I as a lay person in medical matters shouldn't give advice, but I think you should persevere with the Sinemet for a few months at least and not keep switching medications. Also persevere with the running - you'll probably learn to compensate for the foot scuffing, and the Sinemet might help with the muscular stiffness. I cycle a lot and when I'm on the bike I feel like a normal person

Best wishes

Llew,

May I make a comment regarding your Sinemet? You indicate your response to Sinemet is different  in the morning vs. later in the day. One reason may be your diet ... and protein, in particular.  Sinemet and protein fight each other to cross the blood brain barrier. Protein wins. That means Sinemet loses and can lessen the effectiveness of the medication.

 

Look online or elsewhere for 'Sinemet and protein'.  It always amazes me that docs don't educate their patients on Sinemet and protein.

 

lizzy4451