I asked this same question when I was newly diagnosed. I was told that that if I do not take the meds it will not make PD worst or progress faster. The meds are only to control the symptoms of the disease so that I can function. I had symptoms for years before being diagnosed and did not take meds. and was able to function. I started taking medicine only when the symptoms did not allow me to function in my job. My fingers would freeze or become rigid and I could not control them to type, my speech became slurred, my eye sight became blurred and double vision. I had to start taking the meds and these symptoms disappeared. It seems that the doctors on the NPF, Web MD (from my readings) take the stance of why suffer when there are meds available to relieve the symptoms. When I started taking the meds I was VERY pleased with the outcome of the relief of symptoms. I try to take as little meds as possible. I am still a very productive employee because of the meds.

Sorry I forgot to add another point - I have also read that the life span of people with PD has continued to increase since the use of Sinemet in the 60's and 70's and the medical profession believe that the use of Sinemet has made that difference in the length of life span of PWP.

Hello,

Having witnessed your father's struggle with Parkinson's, I can understand the anxiety you must be experiencing as you approach your upcoming appointment. If it turns out that you do have this disease (and you don't know that yet), it may be helpful to know that it's effects on you may be very different than they were on your father.

Holding off on meds will NOT delay the progress of the disease. But some meds, like sinemet, have a limited therapeutic shelf life (5-7yrs average), & people may choose to save this one for last. I was dx'd 13 yrs ago at the age of 49. I started with agonist meds, & finally added sinemet 3 yrs ago. Again, everyone is different, & quality of life & age of onset must be factored in. What HAS been proven to delay progress is exercise.

It's hard, but try not to project too far down the road. What you think you're seeing may not be what's really ahead of you.

Best wishes for you -
Bari

Jury is out stil, on delays meds. I did delay meds....for years...and savvy specialist said I would recover less of my prior function. That was 2 yrs. ago and as of today I do not agree with his statement. A LOT of people here said the docs told them to hold off as long as possible. A LOT of room for doubt I'd say.....but as for me, when I'm having a good day, the only thing that is not 100% is stamina...I am weak and tire fast.

Hello again, you can delay the meds , but not the PD. You can play active roll in he treatment. Educate your self on present treatment and the medication pro and cons . You can find all this on computer. JUst google t in. and mass information comes up for you . Go to your appointment informed and take active roll in the treatment. write your questions down and have them on hand , when u se the Dr. Let them know u want to have say in your treatment. Medications are there to help you with the symptoms , not stop the PD. But u can slow it down with nutrition and exercise. Zlatca

what kind of nutrition should we be eating..i mean anything special..more protein, less protein, more carbs, less carbs..thanks sue b

Protein binds with Sinemet but u must have it so eat it in small portions 20-30 min after u take your meds , No more then 2 OZ It take 4 Hr to digest it. I found that my meds. work better on empty stomach. well balanced diet is best just watch the protein.I both book on line by Kathrynne Holden MS RD.called Cook Well Stay Well with Parkinson's Disease it is a good book ,i think , HAs a chapter on super foods. Zlatica

Bari, A statemeent you made is so so true and relavant!: DFon't project". Two words with so much significance to the newly Dx'd. and ESPECIALLY to thsef who sre bent on self-disgnosis! PD is a difficult disease for even for the most knowlegible MDS. Notice that I DID NOT use the term Neurologist! Surely there are very goofd neuros in the world, but in general, when it comes to Dxing a complex brain disease, such as PD, the services of a Movement Disorder Specialist(MDS) is "the avenue". the way to proceed, to chose! A MDS is a specially and highly trained neurologist. I have found that when it comes to Dxing and treating brain diseases, a general neurologist can no more rocognize PD than a PCP! All most gemeral neurologist can do is dpeculate and (ugh!) guesss what's wrong with an individual. Then after prolonging ones' misery by ordering test after test, which will rather expensively prove what is not wrong with you, he/she will throw up his/her hands and refer you to a "specialist". namely, a MDS!

So all of you PD neeophytes and self-diagnosers out there, pay heed to my words. I've had PD for 36 years now, still counting, and I surely know what I'm talking about! And I've coped and adjusted to the many variances of MY PD very well to date!

I don't have as much experience as some on here. But I have been to both a movement disorder specialist and a neurologist. Personally, I like the neurologist better because the one I go to has alot of experience and has been in the field many years. He ordered an extensive blood work up, MRIs, EEGs.

I went to a movement disorder specialist and this doctor did all the same physical tests w/o any other testing. She only looked at the physical tests of my body and did not order any other blood work or brain testing to rule out other conditions. I did not think the MDS was as good as the neurologist I go to.

This was my personal experience, every single doctor is different. This neuro doc I now go to is very good and also deals with alot of PD patients. So in my case this was way better for me. He is not one to push meds on a person either and explained the pros and cons of taking them too early as opposed to taking them later on. He also took the time to explain what each one does for the symptoms. I really like it that he took time with me and is very kind and answering any questions.

To me it is probably trial and error depending on the longevity of experience the doctor has and how much experience, research etc he/she has done. No matter what kind of doctor I go to I research them as to what college they went to, where they did their internship, how old they are (which to me tells alot about experience) and for sure if they are board certifiec or not. Because some drs are not. Best wishes to you !

i understand where you are coming from witnessing your dad go through it and now being newly diagnosed... My mom had it and i was her caretaker at the end... and i was diagnosed with it 3 and half years ago... as far as the meds go my neuro said if i don't mind the tremors and stiffnesss i could stay off the meds and did initially but then the stiffness and rigidity got too bad and i needed to begin.. the one drug i would suggest you not delay is azelect (if you can tolerate it.. for some reason i couldn't) it's not dopamine and it's not an agonist but it Does protect the brain cells that are still good... so that one would be worth starting asap... good luck to you... paula

Carasmom,

As another newbie around here, I would point you again to Silfox's post, above. 36 years with pd, he points out. Much more than an issue of longevity, Silfox demonstrates the importance of a making those years ones of loving, nurturing, and continuing to grow.

Get worse? Compared to what? Life's challenges change. It is up to us to shape and refine our responses.

Beekeeper