Does anyone use Botox or Azilect (MAOI)?

[sabadad]

Botox for spasticity not wrinkles :))

MAOI scares me, my spouse mores because of food restrictions, BP rise.

[pen1]

I've taken an MAOI B inhibitor (first Selegeline then Azilect) for the past 8 years. My understadning is that the food restrictions apply more to the MAOI A inhibitors. I have never had any problems - though I do restrict my protein intake, mainly because it makes Madopar less effective.

Originally these typess of drugs were thought to slow progression of PD but now there is little evidence to support that. To be honest I never thought I felt any effect, either positive or negative, from either the selegeline or the Azilect

However, my neurologist stopped my Azilect. in November last year. Within a month I found that madopar - which is normally very effective - had become almost useless and I was unable to work. I began to suspect that maybe my brain had become used to the Azilect and that removing it had somehow upset the balance of neurotransmitters - to very negative effect. My neurologidst agreed I could start taking Azilect again and within a few weeks the madopar was working properly again.

I think this just points up the fact that, as one very experienced neuro told me years ago - 'we still know very little about Parkinson's and every patient responds differently to different combinations of drugs'.

[SuKas]

I take Botox for my eyes every three months

[PatV]

Tried azilect. While titrating got crazy dyskinsia. So I stopped.

[jeaniegal]

I have taken Azilect since November 2011 and it has been very helpful to me. It controls my symptoms enough for me to function normally, has made my voice stronger and my affect more fluid. It also improved my mood, MAOs used to be used as antidepressants. I have no side effects. I'm now in a study and have added pioglitazone, but do not feel any difference from that so I may be on the placebo. I do not practice any food restrictions with Azilect, since it is an MAO-B. I know it cannot be proven that Azilect is neuroprotective but it cannot be proven that it isn't either, the data just is not conclusive either way. I pay $350 a month for my Azilect as it is not covered by my insurance!

[Susie01 in reply to jeaniegal]

I have taken Azilect for the last year. I did have side effects for about the first three months. I had high blood pressure that was diagnosed before PD and was on meds for it. Then I started having orthostatic hypotension before the PD was diagnosed. Azilect can cause extreem low and high BP. I do adhere to the dietary recommendations because you can have deadly blood pressures if you do not.

I worked very well for me until I tried to go back to work. My doctor tried a few new meds to see if it would help, it did not. I had to resign my job and most of the time, my physical symptoms are much better. What scares me the most are the cognitive losses...

[Mast in reply to Susie01]

My husband has been taking Azilect for the past 4 months. He has symptom relief of mouth tremor and his speech is much stronger. You say what scares you is the cognitive losses...are you saying Azilect is causing this? I have noticed some changes and have thought it was the progression of the disease.He is 54 and was diag just over a year ago. Thanks

[Susie01 in reply to Mast]

The cognitive changes had started before I was diagnosed, they have progressed rapidly in the last 6-8 months. I don't think the progression is due to the Azilect. The aphasia has been worse in the last few months.

I issues other than the PD. My doctor said I had "global" brain atrophy on the MRI, that it was probably due to chemical or vascular damage before age 10. At the time of diagnosis (2011) I was 49, he said my brain was that of a 75 yr. old, so guess I am not doing too bad considering. In retrospect, my first PD symptoms were documented in 2004.

[janab]

I am just about to take Botox for the extreme tight muscles in the bottom of my foot. I was having trouble with my hip, and the physical therapy on my foot eliminated that problem. So I think when the muscles on the bottom of your foot can walk properly and then properly, other parts will respond. Is Botox localized? How long does it stay in your system? Any negatives?

[LizaJane in reply to janab]

ive been doing botox for a year now and has helped a lot. it seems to stay in my system for about 2 mos and can only get it every 3 mos. just make sure that the drs have done botox a lot it is localized to that area but my last time didnt work well but im going to a research office and the interns did my shots with the dr watching but i feel it wasnt done right beause it didnt help this ti me and hurt a lot where the injection was. i will have the dr do it from now on.. but i do love the out come and it does take a day or two to see a difference.

[Jbcourcy]

I've been using Azilect since being diagnosed five years ago. No side effects either. I saw a nutritionist because of the strict diet recommended and I haven't followed it exactly, but I ate healthy prior to starting the meds.

[LizaJane]

botox for muscle tightness helps me a lot, i get it done every 3 months.. if wears off around after 2 mos. but it makes me move a lot better and i get it in my lower back. love it!