
Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
I've read discussions as to what kind is best but with prices being what they are you have to make a choice based on price. Too bad.
His GP doesn't think it will do anything. His neuro said to take it on the off-chance it might. If nothing else, I've noticed his thinking and reasoning seem to be much sharper and clearer. Don't know if he is simply coming out of the funk from getting the dx or if the stuff is really helping.
If you go to www.Puritansale.com they are having a 70% off sale until 11/30. You can get 400mg soft capsules at 30 for $13.77, 60 for $26.67 or 120 for $48.57. Free shipping with orders over $25. Still pricey but a heck of a lot better than anything else I've found. A six-month supply at 1200mg a day comes to about $240.
They also have lower dosages at lower prices.
My movement specialist says no more than 120 mg. per day.
Gunner
Although my husband's neuro has recommended CoQ more than once she's never given any info regarding dosage. We were left on our own on that front. That fact, along with his GP pooh-poohing it altogether, just goes to show that not all docs agree and/or know what is best. That's one thing I've found since researching PD - oftentimes those of us doing endless research online and networking with others with the disease are much more plugged in and up-to-date than the GP or a general neuro who doesn't specialize in movement disorders. Even among the MDS's you'll find disagreement. The secret is to take all the divergent opinions and try to make your own informed decisions. If you don't feel comfortable or confident enough to do anything other than exactly what one particular doctor recommends there is not a thing wrong with that either. It's a personal decision.
The original clinical trial w/CoQ where some benefit was found was done with 1200 mg/day. A later, and more questionable, trial using 300 mg/day showed no benefit. There is a good discussion of the differences between the two atthe MJFox website.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/newsEvents_parkinsonsInTheNews_article.cfm?ID=197
In the end, let your own body be the greatest first-line warning of undue side effects to drug therapy of any nature. There have been many drugs that doctors have prescribed for me over the years that had adverse effects on me and that I stopped taking when my body warned me to do so. Of course, always advise your doctor when starting or stopping any drug but don't continue taking something that you know in your heart of hearts is working against you. JMO