I was diagnosed with PD last year and interrupted an early drug trial run of Mirapex and Sinemet due to pregnancy. Around 9 weeks ago, my Neuro started me up again on a slow titration of Mirapex and added Azilect at 1 mg a day- I also still take Sinemet. I've noticed at about the 8 week mark, I have almost constant joint pain- even my fingers ache; it really hurts to open and close my hands. My finger joints feel like they are filled with cement. I also now have overall muscular pain; it even hurts to arch my foot when I first walk in the morning. I feel 20 years older and now have to take Motrin before bed in order to deal with pain. I've noticed that these aches/pains are more prevalent at bed time and in first waking, but I feel it all day, in milder form, even in just getting up from a chair. I didn't experience these types of aches and pains at all while pregnant just 3 months ago and I was 40 lbs. heavier! (BTW, I took Sinemet only during later trimesters)

I question mainly the Azilect; I didn't experience this awful joint pain until I added it to my PD drug mix. I know that Mirapex can trigger muscle pain as a side effect. My PD is more prominant on my right side, and I notice that the muscular/joint aches and pains are also harsher on that side. In other words, could these aches and pains mainly be a medication side effect that is exacerbating an already underlying PD symptom?

Also, is it possible to cut daily dosage of Azilect in half to .50 and see if joint pain improves yet still benefit from its neuroprotective properties?

Thanks so much!

Best of health,

Mark