Phil Tomkins - well said--concise and accurate and helpful in helping many
PWPs as they weigh the pros and cons of starting Sinemet.

Nancy Shlaes deGrazia


NancyS. deGrazia

Phil Tompkins wrote:

> Paul Ayers wrote:
>
> > In a discussion with my General Practice Dr. she stated that one
> > could become "sensitive" (if that is the right word) to the meds.  I
> > came away from that conversation thinking that if I just put up with
> > the tremors, stiffness, and wandering thought process for a time,
> > then I could put off meds for a time until I "really" need them.
> > Does this make any sense?
>
> Hello and welcome to the list.
>
> In my opinion (10th year with PD dx and still learning):
>
> 1.  It's a good idea to see a neurologist who is a movement disorder
> specialist.
>
> 2.  It makes no sense to postpone medication if the symptoms are a
> problem or even a discomfort.  The opinion you run across from time
> to time that PD meds (levodopa in particular) only work for five
> years or so is wrong.  They may work indefinitely.  They may work for
> 5 or 10 years with no objectionable side effects (such as
> dyskinesia).  And the duration without side effects is not relative
> to how long you have been on the medication, but rather to
> progression of the disease and to one's age.
>
> 3.  Many patients with early PD are over-medicated.  You need the
> minimum dose level that gets rid of the symptoms.
>
> 4.  Different people have different "sensitivities" to different
> meds.  You won't know about yourself until you try.
>
> 5.  Starting in the early stages of PD it may be worth the gamble
> to use medicines and supplements that are alleged to be
> neuroprotective and therefore slow the progress of the disease.
> There is research (not the latest word, perhaps) indicating that
> Eldepryl and Permax may be neuroprotective (references below
> for anyone interested).  Antioxidant supplements such as Co-enzyme
> Q10 and (alpha-)lipoic acid may be worth looking into (see e.g.,
> http://www.networkantioxidants.com - I don't get any kickbacks!).
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Phil Tompkins
> Hoboken NJ
> age 61/dx 1990
>
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