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...

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CMstanding 06/05/2011

I was just diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 2 months ago. Right now I am overwhelmed with too much information. I am trying to sort through what is relevant to me.

I am a 53 year old female in very good health. My doctor says I am inn the early stages with some tremors in my left hand and leg. I also have some rigidity on the left side and occasional cramping in my hand and toes on the left side. My doctor has talked to me about the possibility of going on Azilect or Selegiline for the possibility of slowing down progression of the disease. I have been researching these drugs and still am unsure as to what I should do. I don't much care for medications and tend to use them sparingly if at all.

Does anyone have any experience with using either of these drugs in the early stages?

jjrfvd1 06/06/2011

I have been taking Azilect and feel it has slowed down my deterioation. I have been taking it for about 3 years. There has been no side effects. I take 1 pill a day usually in the morning.

There is no proof that my condition would be worse without it other than my gut feeling. Only way to check this would be to stop the pill and see what happens. That I am not prepared to do.

debfromnj 06/06/2011

I've been taking Azilect since Nov. 1 pill in morning - stomach bothered me for about 1/2 hour after taking for a week or so after that no problem. It makes me blink more so no more blurred vision, no more cramping from the rigidity, much better body movement - range of motion. I still have the tremors but not as bad except when really stressed - then I rock and roll. Much more energy - but with PD - the energy comes and goes - I just keep going - this too shall pass. I exercise a lot too. But these changes happened with the Azilect - not the exercise. I exercised before taking Azilect and once I started taking Azilect the above symptoms were relieved. I am sure I get more relief with Azilect - just cant remember right now.

CMstanding 06/06/2011

Thanks jjrfvd1 and debfromnj. It really helps to hear about others experiences. if you don't mind my asking, are you only taking Azilect?

deleted_user 06/06/2011

My husband has been taking selegeline twice a day and also amantadine.It's been probably 4 years and symptoms have not progressed.His neurologist is very pleased with the results.No need to pull out the big guns till needed is our doctor's theory.Only symptoms are a slight left hand tremor, stiffness and bouts of being tired.Getting rest and exercise are of utmost importance.Good luck to you as you sort through the information and also your feelings.It's tough, but can be done!

deleted_user 06/06/2011

I understand from the articles that I have read that Azilect affects different people in different ways and that there is no way of predicting individual results. I tried it for a few days and got vey sick while others seem to have no adverse side effects. My suggestion would be to try it and stop if it is not helping you

deleted_user 06/07/2011

Agree totally with the fact that different meds effect different people quite differently. That having been said, the Medical evidence is that Azilect delays the onset of more severe symptoms when taken in earlier stages of Parkinson's. I have noticed that very few seem ot have physical problems they did not already have.after starting Azilect. For myself I have taken it since early diagnosis about 4 years without side effects. Ask your Movement Disorder Neurlogist to review the purpose she is prescribing the medications, and come to a mutual conclusion about which course to try. You may find you need to change courses. I often do, but it works better with feedback like this. ~Nita

debfromnj 06/07/2011

Azilect is the only med I take. I have stage 2 PD meaning it affects both sides. My left is predominate and the right is only minutely affected. I was in stage 2 before beginning the Azilect. It took at least a month before I started seeing a change in my stiffness and pain but I think my blurred vision improved right away. November 2010 seems so long ago. lol

deleted_user 09/07/2011

I was advised to take Azilect by my prof. of movement disorders as it's a neuro protector - he said if he ever got PD that is what he would take. I've only been taking it for a short while but I could see the benefits straight away and I was lucky as I had no side effects. I know how you feel, starting meds is a really worrying time, I worked myself into a frenzy before taking this - as this for me was an admission that I actually have PD and it's something I can't control. A bit too real for me! Hope this helps and the best of luck with your decision.
Julie

harleydog 08/06/2020

How is Azilect still working after all of these years? Since 2011? I take it along with Rytary and have been doing so for 3 or 4 years. I'm 57 and was diagnosed at 50. I was thinking of going off of it because i have found some research that it can cause the same symptoms as PD. Although, all of the comments above sound like it alleviates symptoms (tremors an stiffness). I'd be sure how things are going after all of this time.

zzcqz0 11/03/2020

.I am 62 and was diagnosed with PD nine months ago. I continued to feel tired more and more over the last few years. I am taking carbidope levadope along with pramipexole. I am experiencing stifness and rigidness along withtremors.Are others having success with these drugs? Also is there a sup port group in the Dennton area.?

Critter711 02/14/2021

I am new to Parkinson’s and I’ve never heard of these two drugs. I am on carbidopa levodopa 25/100 and I did not know there were any other types of medicines. How do they all differ

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