I was just discussing my prescriptions with my mail order pharmacy and trying to see if I could save money by having more of my prescriptions filled through mail order. I typically have my Venlafaxine(Effexor) filled at my local pharmacy, but now that I have been on it for awhile and don't need to tinker with the dosage anymore, I thought it would be less expensive to get that through mail order as well. I just started on the Azilect a month ago and I have been using samples from my doctors office. I was talking to the mail order pharmacist about whether or not the Azilect was covered under my plan. It is covered, but she said that it isn't recommended to take Azilect and Effexor together because of a possible interaction. My neuro is aware that I am taking Effexor, but didn't mention any possible interaction. The pharmacist was very concerned. She told me some of the symptoms of the possible interaction. They are things that I mentioned to the MA when she checked me in at my last appointment. My blood pressure was a little higher than normal and my pulse was higher as well. It has been around 100 at rest when I check it. I also was concerned with having the sweats. My face and upper body will get so sweaty at times throughout the day. I mentioned all of that when I was checked in at my last appointment. I called my Neuro's office and left a message for him. I spoke with the same MA that had checked me in at my last appointment. She remembered me discussing those things with her. She is going to let the doctor know and somebody will get back to me. Has this happened with anybody else?

I have heard that it is hell getting off of Effexor. That is a little concerning to me. I am willing to go off and try a different anti depressant. Honestly, the Effexor hasn't been all that great. I feel less depressed, but I have more of an emotionally flat feeling than anything else. I would love to find a medication that makes me actually able to feel really HAPPY. Maybe this med change will give me that opportunity.

I know that rather than changing my antidepressant, I could choose to drop the Azilect. I would rather stay on the Azilect because of the possibility of neuroprotection. I am going to be 35 on Saturday. I have a long time to deal with PD and I want to keep as much of my dopamine around as possible.

Any advice or stories to share? Prayers would be appreciated. This kind of stuff just makes my head hurt!

Thanks,

Evonne

Serotonin Syndrome can be caused by taking a MAOI and SNRI together. It can even be caused by taking either of these types of meds alone. Here is a link for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

It is always wise to research drug interactions, when we are taking Inhibitor type medications

I constantly have to remind myself to be aware of certain OTC medications that I buy without thinking about it

Im taking Stalevo, and check out the list of meds that interact with Entacapone, which is a COMT inhibitor


entacapone-oral (cont.)



DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: most MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine), isoproterenol, adrenalin (epinephrine), norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, alpha-methyldopa, apomorphine, isoetharine, bitolterol, probenecid, cholestyramine, certain antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, ampicillin, rifamin, chloramphenicol). According to the manufacturer, if you are prescribed the MAO inhibitor selegiline you may continue to take it while using entacapone. Also, report use of any medicine that can make you drowsy, such as: sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medicine, anti-seizure drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines, certain drowsiness-causing antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

http://www.medicinenet.com/entacapone-oral/page2.htm

I noticed that your list mentioned Levodopa. So, does that mean that you can't take Sinemet? I love the idea of taking something neuroportective like Azilect. I think that the thing that concerns me the most is that there seem to be a lot of things that interact with it. Anesthesia is one of them. What happens if you need to have emergency surgery or something? I guess all we can do is let the doctors know what we take and then it's up to them to figure out the rest!

I am really surprised that I still haven't heard back from my neurologist. He recently came back from vacation, so I guess he must be really slammed at the office. Still, I would think that in a situation like this, at least the MA would call me back. I didn't take the Azilect today. I am still taking the Effexor until I hear otherwise. Thanks for your response, Steve!

Evonne

Yeah, I saw that..It says "dopamine"..not sure if they are refering to levadopa or not, because Stalevo is a combination of entacapone and levadopa..That wouldnt make sense

Which now that I think about it, I got desperate one day and tried some Mucuna powder, and what that is, is herbal dopamine..I dont remember if I was taking Stalevo at the time..But now that I think about it, maybe that had something to do with, why I coudnt get up off the floor when it wore off


Anesthesia?..Wow, that's not good..I wonder if there is an alternative Anesthesia drug?..In either case, it would be important for the hospital to know about that..Its hard enough to get the message across when you're conscious, never mind unconscious, and in an emergency situation

I am thinking about ordering a vinyl bracelet with my medical information on it. You know, the kind people wear for cancer and other things. I think Lance Armstrong's Live Strong Bracelets have probably been seen by everybody. I found a site on-line awhile ago where you can order the medical bracelets. You can have them customized so that the part that actually faces towards your arm has all of the personal/medication information. The outside, in my case, would say Insulin Dependent Diabetic/PD. The inside would list all meds. I am going to put a card in my wallet with my driver's license listing all of this stuff as well. It might be awhile before I order the bracelet. I have to get all the meds straight first.

Steve,
Bummer about winding up on the floor! Probably had to do with that Mucuna! Yikes!!! How are you doing now with your meds? Well, I better get a move on. Gotta get ready for work. This has been a long week and I am looking forward to the weekend!
Hugs,
Evonne