Requip ??

[Stazina]

My husband is taking Carb/Levo and doesn't help that much, he has taken many other meds with bad side effects and now started Requip a couple of days ago. Any thoughts?? Also is there anyone out there who is also suffering from alcoholism and Parkinsons? Thanks

[park_bear]

Requip is a dopamine agonist. Dopamine agonists have been associated with impulse control disorders – compulsive gambling, sex, shopping, or eating. If he is already suffering from alcoholism this would seem to be a contraindication:

medscape.com/viewarticle/83...

"Dopamine receptor agonist drugs should not be prescribed in patients with a personal or family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, impulsive personality, alcoholism, drug abuse, or other addictive behaviors,"

[Baileytwo in reply to park_bear]

Agree

[GymBag]

It is said: That the only way it can be confirmed that the patient has Parkinsons is if the PD medication works. Leva / Carb is the number one , best medication. If LC does not work then I doubt Requip will do anything . I think it is possible that he may not have PD. I suggest that you get a second opinion from a neurologist and preferably one that is a movement disorder specialist. Your family doctor GP will find one for you and give you a referral. If he does not then get a new GP. Alcohol withdrawal on is own has many symptoms similar to PD.

[Basih101 in reply to GymBag]

My husband has Parkinson's...DBS three years ago. Leva/Carb has never worked for him, has no "on" time or "off" time...yet his surgeon insists he stay on it. ?????

[moonsake10 in reply to Basih101]

Did the DBS not relieve his tremors?

[Basih101 in reply to moonsake10]

He had tremors in both hands, only did DBS on one ... worked great but ever since has had balancing problem Don't know if it was from the surgery or just the fact that he is 81 and has had PD for almost 8 years. He is on B1 which quickly eliminated his constipation issues. I feel that at his age he is doing well...takes lots of good nutrients as mentioned on HL.

[Baileytwo in reply to Basih101]

I had dbs 3yrs ago. Worked great on tremors and rigidity. But balance has been bad since

[moonsake10 in reply to Baileytwo]

did you have DBS on both sides or one?

[JohnPepper]

Hi Stazina. Are you aware that no Pd medication was ever designed to slow down or reverse the progression of Pd?

So, whatever medication your husband takes, his Pd will continue to get worse.

The only way I know to slow down or reverse the symptoms of Pd is to start fast walking. If you look at my website - reverseparkinsons.net and contact me, I will help him to start doing the fast walking and also how to slowly come off the medication, if he so wishes.

As far as alcoholism is concerned, that is a choice he makes and only he can chose to stop. Exercise is a good way to help replace his drinking habits.

[MarionP]

From what I've heard and seen requip is a pretty mean drug. If you try it be ready for a rough ride. If it works well for you, excellent.