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Mike P replied to the topic Nourianz Now Approved in U.S. to Treat Parkinson's Off Periods in the forum Parkinson’s Research News 2 years, 12 months ago
Sinemet (one 25/100 tab twice daily) hasn’t worked great for me. I never feel much improvement, I just know I feel worse when I don’t take Sinemet. I’ve had visual disturbance side effects with all dopamine agonists in the past. I was going to give dopamine agonists another try but my MDS mentioned Nourianz as a possible add-on instead. I am…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic PD & Dystonia in the forum Using our forums 3 years, 1 month ago
Mary Beth-
Cross-training works great for me as a full body workout. Based on some recommendations, I ordered one of those infomercial workout programs back in 2010. I was working for an organization where everyone worked from home and I needed a spark to stay active. A co-worker and I made a pact where we went through the program together and we…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Positive Dopamine Agonist Experiences in the forum Parkinson's Disease Medications 3 years, 1 month ago
Thanks Russell. Last year I started on generic 0.375mg pramipexole (manufactured by Dr Reddy labs) once daily at bedtime for a week and had mild visual disturbances (seeing brief flashing lights upon waking in the dark) the first few nights. After a week, my MDS bumped me up to 0.750mg at bedtime and I experienced the same flashing lights 5 nights…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic PD & Dystonia in the forum Using our forums 3 years, 1 month ago
Mary Beth-
My foot dystonia is triggered by repetitive activity that has little variation (straight line constant speed walking/running, stationary bike, etc.). It’s much less of a problem with cross-training or a hike in the woods. I find I really have to listen to my foot. When I start to feel any discomfort I back off right away and stretch.…[Read more]
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Mike P started the topic Positive Dopamine Agonist Experiences in the forum Parkinson's Disease Medications 3 years, 1 month ago
Has anyone tried any dopamine agonists that they consider very beneficial for their PD rigidity, bradykinesia, and dystonia symptom relief? I’m on low dose Sinemet (one tab 25/100 twice daily) and one 1mg Azilect daily. The meds don’t ever seem to alleviate my symptoms very much but I do feel worse without them. I’ve tried generic Mirapex…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Wondering About Azilect? in the forum Using our forums 3 years, 1 month ago
Let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor and this information should be confirmed with your husband’s doctor and other pharmacists:
Before the MAO-B inhibitor Azilect (rasagiline) (approved 2006), another drug named selegiline (approved 1989) was widely prescribed as an MAO-B inhibitor. Selegiline had tyramine warnings and interactions.…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Mini exercise bikes for exercise in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 3 years, 1 month ago
I have been a cardio junkie for years but foot dystonia has put a cramp in my running game. I considered peloton but didn’t want to invest that kind of cash until I could confirm that the foot dystonia that I experience while running would not be triggered by the exercise bike. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to roll your own Peloton b…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic PD & Dystonia in the forum Using our forums 3 years, 1 month ago
Bob, that sounds terrible. Sorry to hear that. My PD is limited to my dominant side mainly in the form of rigidity and bradykinesia. No tremor. One of my first symptoms was foot dystonia. When running, my foot would curl up after about 1.5 miles. It never happened with any other activity, just the repetitive running action. Over the years it’s g…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Wondering About Azilect? in the forum Using our forums 3 years, 1 month ago
I’m 47 years old and I’ve been on 1mg daily generic Azilect for 2.5 years. Like most others, I have not noticed any PD symptom improvement from Azilect. I’ve tried dopamine agonists, amantadine, Artane, generic Sinemet, and Rytary. I had to stop the dopamine agonists, Artane, and amantadine due to side effects. Rytary didn’t work for me any better…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Is anyone on Xadago? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Medications 3 years, 2 months ago
Hi Jean- I have been on generic Azilect for 2+ years. I have never noticed an improvement but I continue to take it since I have no side effects and it may possibly be neuroprotective in some capacity. My MDS gave me some samples to try for Xadalgo to see if it helps better than Azilect. I am still debating if I want to try to make the switch…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Medication adjustments in the forum Parkinson's Disease Medications 3 years, 2 months ago
Mary Beth-
Given my age (47), my MDS wants to be very careful increasing C/L dosage. Dyskinesia commonly occurs within 5 years for younger populations after they begin taking C/L. Several recent studies have suggested that C/L is not disease-modifying and the dyskinesia is just a result of disease progression. If that’s true, many believe y…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Medication adjustments in the forum Parkinson's Disease Medications 3 years, 2 months ago
I am 47 years old and my MDS has suggested I switch from (1) pill of 25/100 generic Sinemet twice daily to (1) pill of Rytary 36.25/145 twice daily. So far it’s been much less effective but it’s only been 5 days.
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Mike P replied to the topic Linda Ronstadt and PD affecting her voice in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 2 months ago
Wow Jean. Your reply is so relatable. I share exactly the same symptoms and feelings.
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Mike P replied to the topic Linda Ronstadt and PD affecting her voice in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 3 months ago
I’m 46 and was diagnosed 3 years ago and have had symptoms for much longer. My voice is definitely softer. People always ask me to repeat myself and my family tells me I’m too quiet. I can speak louder with conscious effort but feel like I’m being extra loud when it’s actually just right. I coach soccer teams for my kids and shouting to players…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Memory Issues in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 3 months ago
Hi Toni-
I’m not a doctor but I’d recommend touching base with your neurologist and express your concerns. They might want to run some tests (e.g. B12) and review your medications. I have learned that some PD medications have been known to have side effects like brain fog and memory issues. I wouldn’t recommend changing any medication withou…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Winter sports and Parkinson's in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 3 years, 3 months ago
Hi Jean-
I believe you have indicated in the past that, like me, you are more impacted by PD on one side. Do you find that your more affected hand is usually colder than your less affected hand? My Parkinson’s symptoms are limited to my dominant side and my dominant hand is always much colder than my “good side”. That makes sense to me given…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Did your tremor come on slowly or did it manifest itself fairly quickly? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 3 months ago
The keyboard you linked has the brown switches, not the blues. The brown switches are pretty good providing a tactile bump. You may prefer the blues that have a tactile bump and an audible click. A mechanical keyboard is a big investment so I would recommend getting a key switch sampler that allows you to test out each of the different switches…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Did your tremor come on slowly or did it manifest itself fairly quickly? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 3 months ago
Jean- You may want to consider a mechanical keyboard. It requires much more force but it helps me tremendously giving tactile (and sometimes audible depending on the key switch chosen) feedback as to when a key actuates. This is especially helpful for me and my hand stiffness to signal when I’ve accidentally pressed a key with my rogue hand. I…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic Did your tremor come on slowly or did it manifest itself fairly quickly? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 3 years, 3 months ago
Jean- I am trying to determine if I am somewhat levodopa resistant (25-100 twice a day) or if I just have not progressed enough to appreciate it as a miracle drug. The main reason I take this medication is to help me continue to work. I am a computer programmer by trade and it becomes very difficult to type with my right hand as the day progresses…[Read more]
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Mike P replied to the topic How do you feel about genetic testing? in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 3 years, 3 months ago
I joined the MJFF and 23andMe project and my results came back negative for the LRRK2 and GBA variants. Hopefully they expand the project to test for some of the other variants that they think are related to Parkinson’s disease (e.g. PARK7, SNCA, PINK1, etc.).
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