Thanks, Steff, it's nice to see that despite the terrible blow you suffered with the flooding of your home, you still take the time to stay in touch with us here at the forum. You strike me as an incredibly brave and resolute lady, and I hope your friends and family have come to appreciate what a priceless gem you are.
Hugs
Teresa

Hi Jerry, nice to see you are there, though you don't post much. I have had constipation for the longest, but I found a fail-safe and healthy remedy (which is as old as humanity): I have my coffee with two slices of whole-wheat toast for breakfast, but instead of buttering them, I pour raw olive oil on them (extra quality virgin olive oil). I bought a little oil decanter so that it trickles out and isn't a mess. Raw olive oil is good for just about everything and it's a great anti-oxidant into the bargain.

I also have an emergency solution when all else fails: glycerin suppositories!

Hugs
Teresa

If you're in the initial stages, it might be all you need for the next couple of years. Ask your neuro, though.

I noticed the difference immediately. My first Sinemet dose in the morning lasted much longer and when I took my first Stalevo thereafter (I alternate 1/2 Sinemet with 1 Stalevo 50) my constant jitteriness and hour-long dyskinesia just didn't happen! It was a smooth, virtually sympton-free ride till the dose started to wear off. But even then the "off" was much milder and could have been avoided if I hadn't waited so long to see what would happen.

Thanks Robert. I wonder if the folks who found it had no effect on them might be in the very early stages of the disease. We're all different, but it's also got to do with the stage of PD you're in.

As luck (or bad luck) has it, I'm extremely sensitive to all susbstances. I can even tell when I've eaten something with Monosodium Glutamate in it, because my jaws turn into a clamp and I get extremely agitated, writhing with dyskinesia and unable to walk from my feet cramping so bad. Now, many restaurants use MSG in their dishes and don't tell you. Last summer, for instance, I had to take a valium after eating a slice of blueberry pie at IKEA that I suspect was drenched in MSG.
In the initial stages, however, MSG as a neurotransmitter had beneficial effects on my symptons.
So, we have to continuously reassess and evaluate which substances that were beneficial at first, become less so and finally have to be completely avoided.

Hugs
Teresa

Teresa

Like you I am very sensitive to a very wide range of sustances particularly
MSG.

Does the Azilect appear to have eased your Bradykinesia, muscle cramping and rigidity (assumimg your suffer all of these)?

Thanks

Chris

Yes, Chris, it relieves all major PD symptons derived from lack of dopamine. It is an MAO-inhibitor (like selegiline), which increases the availability of dopamine and prevents its break-down.
So far, the only sympton I don't see being relieved is my lousy balance.

...and bless you for such kind words,although I have to say there truly are some situations when my resolve is well challenged...lol

I wish to thank you again for sharing this information.You have equipped me with something tangible to take to my next neuro appointment,which incidentally,is with a new doctor. After 10 years I have finally decided to change hospitals,the reason being that it has been almost 3 years since I spoke to my own neurologist. Not good. I pray that you continue to reap the benefits from this drug,and that you go from strength to strength.

Your post came in just at the right time....a light in the shadows for some and it doesn`t matter how soft or how strong that light is....it is still hope.
Thank you so much
Steff
x

Hi Teressa, So happy for you, and this may be just what I need. I can hardly be on without dyskinesia these days, despite only taking 250 to 300mg of levodopa per day.
However, you say you are taking Azilect in pill form, isn't Azilect the same as Rasagiline, which is available in patch form? Has anyone tried rasagiline patches, and does it similarly stop dyskinesia?
Chris, yes, you are right, azilect has been claimed to be neuroprtective.
Ron

I don't know about the patch, Ron, but Azilect is rasagiline, indeed. The manufacturer is Teva Pharmaceuticals in Israel and the distributor in Europe is Lundbeck Ltd.
By the way, you know you can get dysks from too much or from too little levadopa. Since you've had PD for well over ten years, maybe the dosage you're taking is insufficient. I am taking 450 mg a day, but have to stretch it by taking Stalevo, which contains entacapone. Stalevo, however, multiplies my dyskinesia and, even though I'm "on", I find myself writhing all the time and can't drive safely, plus I make everybody around me nervous.

Now I find that Azilect "stretches" the on-time without causing dyskinesia and relieves all major symptons, except the balance problems. It loosens your muscles, which in turn prevents much pain (my facial expression is back to normal, and I don't have to look in the mirror to notice, just the fact that I can whistle again is evidence enough).

It does come with a warning for people with liver disease, since it's metabolized in the liver. I also have to check and make sure it's not making constipation worse, otherwise I would have to drop bananas and chocolate from my diet altogether.

Cheers
Teresa