Medication

I have read a couple of posts recently, not sure if it was here or Parkinson's uk site where sufferers have commented that the effects of the Parkinson's drugs are worse than the disease itself. I would be really interested to hear anyone's views on this. Thank you xx.

[emswife]

This might be so for some, but maybe I'm just lucky. I take Ropinirole 22 mg daily and know if I've missed it. If I miss just a day, (maybe if I've forgotten to order my repeat in time) I'm shaky, my balance is rubbish and it starts to affect how I breath; my chest seems to have to take very big breaths, almost like I've been running. So for me, the drugs are a life saver,but also maybe its because Im fairly new to PD? Or perhaps its down to the drug I take?

[Leyther]

I was fairly advanced when diagnosed so when I took mirapexin and improved i had no complaints.

It was introduced gradually and with an anti sickness drug domperidone so I was ok

I know some who have trouble with nausea and sleepiness which is a pain but if this is a problem you can always try another drug.

selegeline, sinemet and stalevo have never cause me problems

mirapexin caused ocd and behaviour problems but with knowledge, monitoring and staying within the recommended dosage you should be ok.

PD is not just a movement disorder, the effect on moods, motivation, memory etc are sometimes more difficult to deal with.

I sense you are frightened of the potential consequences of some of the side effects.

I went the first 6 years without drugs, struggling on until my right side was immobile. During this period our first son was born in the first year it started and the second four years later. I held down a job and looked after the kids at weekends while my wife worked. I became adept at changing nappies (Diapers) one handed. Pegging out washing took ages.

Taking a drug that improves this was a good thing not a bad.

I didnt have the knowledge of the side effects at the time and personal circumstance and sheer bad luck played a part.

Don't be afraid of taking something that can give you a decent standard of life and may protect you from the progression of pd.

Sleep well, avoid stress, be realistic but positive. Try new things, dont give up on anything you like to do, Learn to adapt, dont battle with it, ask for help, enjoy yourself.

Leyther

[Hidden in reply to Leyther]

Thank you for your advice - such wise words xx

[Babygirl in reply to Leyther]

Thank you.

Babygirl

[Anemone]

By the time I was diagnosed, I could barely walk, feed myself . . . Therefore, I was thrilled to go on drugs and whatever side effects I had, I didn't notice, because I was akin to a mushroom before. I now take Tai Chi, even have begun helping with meals again (was gangbusters cook before), play duplicate bridge, and paint. There are plenty of things I don't do, but I do consider myself fortunate to have found medications that gave me my life back--in a different format perhaps. Hang in there.

This is not to negate your hesitations and concerns with medications. Remain your own advocate, don't take just anything without studying, etc.

[daveyno9]

ive tried mirapexin which made mefeel so ill ithought i was dying sinamet wasnt much better now im on 14 mg ropinarole & 3 madopar aday its taken methree yrs to get to this stage a month ago my dosage went up to 16 mg a day but i felt so ill ive had to cut back to 14 mg again of course my pd is slightly worse now being honest i never felt ill untill i went on to medication

[Leyther in reply to daveyno9]

were you given domperidone, an anti sickness pill, when you started on mirapexin? also what dose did you start on?