How does medication help?
 

Hi all,

I'm sure you are fed up with my questions. I am on this board for my Dad. He is four years into his diagnosis and would like to start him on meds now. His intital symptoms were tremor. Now I see other problems like problems getting up, turning over in bed, buttoning clothes, leaning forward etc. I would like to know if medication gives relief from these symptoms. It is really heartbreaking to see him struggle so much...

Thanks in advance,
Shar

The short answer to your question is yes. Thats exactly why we take medication.

I see you have asked many questions treatment related. Your dad has been diagnosed over 4years and you are seeing the disease progressing. I presume he has tried other things you have researched but they are not giving him adequate relief. Whats stopping him trying meds?

His first neurologist was reluctant to start him on drugs until he really needed it and he said once you start on l-dopa you cant turn back His initial symptom was just tremor.

Now he is with an mds who he has seen once. The MDS said it is his call as to when he starts drugs. He is scared of starting with l-dopa. His old neuro suggested starting with azilect. I am at a loss for what he should start with.

I see you have asked many questions treatment related. Your dad has been diagnosed over 4years and you are seeing the disease progressing. I presume he has tried other things you have researched but they are not giving him adequate relief. Whats stopping him trying meds?[/QUOTE]

Bubblyshar, I am 38 years old, diagnosed with YOPD 3 years ago. I'm currently on levodopa monotherapy (400mg/day). A significant percentage of patients with YOPD, who are much younger than your dad, take levodopa for optimal symptomatic relief. The sole disadvantage of levodopa-as compared to other PD drugs like the Dopamine agonists-is the , theoretical, risk of accelerating the onset of levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID), especially in patients younger than 40 years old. For this reason, many neurologists prefer to delay levodopa for as long as possible in younger patients. However, in older patients with typical idiopathic late-onset PD. (patients aged>50 years at diagnosis) the risk of LID is much smaller and levodopa is the first-line treatment choice.

Levodopa remains the most effective and best tolerated PD drug.

I really cannot understand why your neurologist is reluctant to prescribe levodopa to your dad.

PS: Once you start levodopa you don't WANT to turn back.

boy,
are you against taking any medications? how about aspirin?
it's hard to believe you asked that question. it's similar to asking a diabetic if insulin might help.
bottom line, he can try l-dopa for a few weeks and stop it if he doesn't like it, HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, l-dopa response is used as a diagnostic tool. it's a natural occurring amino acid plus another compound that suppresses an enzyme which changes l-dopa so it can't get into the brain. eating a candy bar is likely more harmful. this is not a powerful cancer drug, not a psychotrophic drug.
i almost think it should OTC, well not really.

i suggest you take the opposite view and be thankful there are medications to treat his pd symptoms rather than think of them as necessary evils. if it was my father i'd be demanding he start on meds. and then learning all i can about how to help him make the meds work as well as possible and other things you can do to maximize the quality of his life. that might mean getting him into counseling, into an exercise program, taking an antidepressant. i'm not a healthcare professional but the best approach to treating pd is a team effort, MD, neuro, mental health, physical therrapist, family members. if you in 4 years are still asking if meds can help you imho shouldn't be involved in helping your dad if other family members are available or you need to find a social worker to guide you. being brutally honest.
i'm 59, when medicated, you wouldn't notice i have pd, when my meds wear off, i'm 90 mentally and physically. that's how dramatic the benefit of l-dopa can be.

keep in mind that 1 egg has grams of amino acids that are precursors to dopamine yet the avg daily dose of l-dopa is ariound 500mg, at least 6x less than in 1 egg and most is broken down and never gets into the brain.

i didn't go back thru all your posts to see if he has already tried l-dopa.

I have a somewhat unique position that relates to your concerns. Im a 42 year old male who was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I have been taking sinemet for about 2 1/2 years. I definitely get relief from the symptoms that you a speaking of. About 2 months ago my mom was diagnosed with pd. I am convinced she has probably had it for about 10 to 12 years. I didn't know anything about pd until I was diagnosed. But knowing what I know now my mom should have been on medication ten years ago. Shes on pd meds now but I thinks its to late, she is totally bedridden, can hardly swallow, and is near the end of a struggle that has progressed for many years. I always wonder if I had known about pd 10 years ago, how much better my moms life would have been. Don't wait any longer get him on meds, that's just my opinion