Several weeks ago I was diagnosed with PD. Treatment started with .l25 mg Mirapex 3x/day, increased weekly. Within a few days of reaching .5mg 3x/day (10 days ago), my symptoms increased to the point of not being able to walk into the office. The neurologist said to decrease to .375mg 3x/day, which I did immediately, until my next appointment--in 10 days.

I have not felt I could make it into the building since then. I have been on the recumbant bike for 20 min 2x/day, plus the Health Rider and stretching. Walking continues to be a challenge; at times, I still find I need a wall or counter when walking. Shakes come and go, but they seem to come when I'm stressing/concentrating on moving.

What should I expect the progress should be? And how long before I will be at the point of walking into the office? From what I've read, an increase or magnification of symptoms (rigidity, shakes, gait) could be linked to too high a dosse.

I realize everyone's reaction is different, but I'm just looking for feedback and, hopefully, reassurance.

Thanks.
~Roseann

But, keep working w/ your Dr on the meds. Also, have another person who sees you regularly give their opinion. I find that how I feel vs. how I look to others can really vary.

Good luck - Michelle

As you know, the progression, symptoms, and treatment are different for everyone. I will tell you that pd treatment is very aggravating. Almost all the meds used are a "start low and go slow" regime. With all due respect, you have not given the medication or the dr time to work. Almost all of us have been on and off so many medications that we cannot even count them. In every city I speak in and every group I speak to the complaint is always the same," when will I see results?"

Hang in there. There are many different medication out there that are very successful at reducing symptoms. I will not lie to you, it does take time. I was diagnosed 6 years ago and have tried almost every medication available. Prior to that, I was misdiagnosed with essential tremors and was treated for 5 years with many medications for something I did not even have.

Please hang in there and keep a positive attitude. It will get better once you find the regime that works. If you need anything, let me know.

Best of health,

Mark

My neuroligist only changes one thing at a time to see how it affects me. Maybe that is why he/she did not add anything else at this time. Hope you can get regulated soon.

Bea50

I will try to handle this step by step.

With mirapex and related meds, the key is to start low and go slow. I will tell you that there is no "one pill cures all" when it comes to PD. PD has many symptoms to it. Depression and anxiety are 2 off them. Many times we stress because we cannot do something we used to do or we are nervious about how our body reacts when we are out in publec. This brings on anxiety. Anxiety increases the symptoms. It is a viscous cycle.

You asked if PD medication can bring out new symptoms. Yes and no. Too much sinemet can bring on dyskensia. So, you go from tremors to an involuntary muscle movement. The no part is this. When you take a medicine that takes care of tremors, for example, the other symptoms that were not so prevelant all of a sudden are more noticable. The other symptoms were there the whole time, but the main symptom was the worst.

As far as the cramping. There is a produest called baclofen that works great in PD patients to relieve spasms and , to a lesser extent, rigidity. It is a specific muscle relaxer that works differently than most. It does not work in the centers of the brain but rather post spinal cord.

Hope this helps.

Best of health,

Mark