 |
 |
In response to a query today from Judith Richards on a press release or newspaper article with respect to the approval of Mirapex in Canada the following is an extract from the February 24th edition of the OTTAWA CITIZEN under the heading of 'PARKINSON'S SUFFERERS ENJOY RELIEF WITH NEW DRUG and a byline of 'Mirapex works in early and late stages of disease: By Gina Harris:- 'Calgarian Jim Michie gave up his job selling real estate seven years ago after Parkinson's disease made his movements uncontrollable. Last June he laced up his skates asnd played hockey with the Vancouver Canuck Oldtimers. Mirapex, a new drug for the treatment of Parkinson's is responsible for the change in Mr. Michie's condition. "Up until now we haven't had a lot of treatment for Parkinson's disease,"says Dr. Oksana Suchowersky, a Calgary doctor who is one of a handful of experts on movement disorders in Canada." I think it (Mirapex) is a significant step forward because it gives us a new drug that's not only effective, but easy to use for patients and doctors. It's less complicated than that what we had before." Mirapex is a dopamine agonist. Older dopamine agonists casused upset stomachs and nausea. To reduce side-effects, the dosage had to be increased slowly. It took two to three months before the dosage level was high enough to benefit the patient. With Mirapex, the dosage can be increased much faster so the patient feels better in three weeks. It is also an improvement over older drugs because it is effective in both early and late stages of Parkinson's. It also acts as a mild anti-depreasant a bonus, since half of all Parkinson's patients suffer from depression. The most common treatment for Parkinson's disease is a drug called levadopa (L-dopa). Although it works reasonably well for the first three or four years, it loses its effect over time. for unknoiwn reasons. Mirapex controls earlly symptoms of the disease without using L-dopa, and can be used to treat later stages of the disease in combination with L-dopa. Parkinson's affects 100,000 Canadians. It is caused by a lack of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Symptoms start with a bit of slowness, stiffness in the hands, turning into tremors. Other symptoms include difficulty walking or standing, loss of facial expression, sleep disturbances, speech problems, drooling and depression. Over a number of years the symptoms progress to the point where the body is frozen.' Sounds like a positive endorsement for Mirapex! In my own case I have been using L-dopa for aboout a year with positive results with the exception of an increasing tremor in my jaw. I have booked a meeting with my neuro next month to discuss this problem and the likely prescription for Mirapex. Ken Clements < [log in to unmask] 64/2 Ottawa CANADA