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 was on Azilect and discontinued it after 2 months.. Initially it made me feel depressed but ultimately it made me feel like jumping out of my skin. I was on it for 2 months. I am going through the same thing with carbidopa-levodopa. I don't know what to do. I couldn't tolerate the regular formula at all because the depression was so severe that I went off it after 4 days. The extended release formula was then recommended and seemed somewhat easier to tolerate at first but seems to be heading in the same direction as Azilect. initially it made me depressed and now making me feel like I am irritable and falling apart.. I've only been on it for 8 days. I hope to hear from my doctor tomorrow. I would like to know from others that it gets better.
Sorry I didn't see this yesterday. You want to know if it gets better? YES!! It does get better.
While I have been following the discussions on this website, I have come to realize that PD is a very personal disease. While some of the symptoms fit a general profile, no two people experience the disease in the same way. Nor do the meds work the same way for everyone. Discovering what will work for you may be a matter of trying different things - keeping what works for you and discarding what doesn't.
The best tip I can pass along while you are learning what works for you is to keep a diary. Write down everything - when you take your meds, what and when you eat and how your are feeling at the time. Sometimes moving a medication to a different time of day, taking it before or after a meal can make a difference in how you feel. If you have a diary you can go back a sometime spot a pattern that you can change for a different outcome.
The second best thing I can tell you is to stay in touch with this group. This forum is one of the best sources of information around.
Keep the faith - we've got your back!
Don't let get discouraged in your hunt for the medication or combination of meds that will work for you. It has taken me two doctors and a couple years to get my "cocktail" correct. This is why I suggested keeping a diary, so you can have a paper trail to use as reference.
There are a lot of foods that can affect how your meds work. Even the timing of your meals can also affect how your body uses the medication. There are supplements some have mentioned on this website you might want to try, so the diary does come in handy.
There is NO shame in taking an antidepressant if you need one. You recently had a diagnosis of PD which is enough to put you in a downward spiral, but you also have PD meds which can cause depression - a double whammy. I have taken Lexapro on two different occasions for several months at a time. It allowed me to dig myself out of the black hole I was in. Sometimes you feel bad for so long that you forget how to be happy.
I am glad to hear your neuro had some new ideas to try. Sounds like you have a good one. Best of luck on your journey. Keep me in the loop.