Friends-- I'm cross-posting in case this is of interest to PWPs as well as CGs. You may recall that my husband sustained a compression fracture of a vertebra in early January. He was in a LOT of pain when moving, changing position, rising, etc. and was on a non-opiate regimen of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. Last Monday we visited his internist, who gave him samples of VIOXX to try--a prescription NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug) to try, saying it was stronger than what he has been using. It is designed for people with osteoarthritis.
I can report that it has been VERY helpful to my husband. The benefit from a once-a-day dose (in his case, 2 of the 25mg tablets) lasts about 6 hours, rather than the 4 hours of the over the counter meds. No side effect problems. I wonder if others have used it? It seems worth considering, as it doesn't interfere with the PD drugs as the opiate-based pain pills do. Where my husband was in much pain and consequently very depressed 2 days ago, he has been feeling minimal discomfort today, and is really a "Happy Camper"....what a nice change!
Like all the meds, it may not work for everyone, but as it is often hard to find pain meds for PWPs I wanted to share about it. Now, if we can just keep him VERTICAL ....... !
He has not begun any medication yet. Mom and Dad have heard about some of the side effects and are hesitant to take the first step.
I have read that some of the drugs like Equip and Mirapex can help early symptoms a lot--maybe for 5 to 10 years. Could someone help me to know about these two drugs and their side effects anyone has experienced.
In your experience do the benefits outweigh the side effects?
As you have read every PWP has different side-effects with medications. Now everybody can take all the drugs recommended to them. Trail and error is the only way to find out if the meds will work. Its scary but necessary. We've all been where your dad has been. My prayers are with you and your family.
Here's just one URL for Permax information:
Hope this helps.
Another debate is which drug to use at the onset of treatment. And again, there are specialists on both sides of this question. Newer research is suggesting that Sinemet therapy be delayed and that agonist therapy (Mirapex, Requip) be used as a beginning treatment. Agonists work, very basically, by stimulating the cells that receive the dopamine in the brain to make them more sensitive to the lesser amounts found. Some patients find they can delay the need for Sinemet for several years in some cases. This research also seems to be suggesting that by using an agonist as a first and primary drug, then adding Sinemet later as a secondary drug to supplement the agonist (using less Sinemet), this might help to prevent or at least delay the onset of the problems more typically associated with longer-term, higher-dosage use.
Lastly, for the vast majority of patients, the benefits from the antiparkinson drugs DO outweigh any side effects that can be seen. Remember, any drug powerful enough to provide benefit is also powerful enough to cause side effect. The trick is to find that level between benefit and side effect. But, it is also important to remember that if side effects do occur, a qualified, experienced neurologist will typically be able to manipulate the medications to lessen these problems.
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Please check out MedPrompt's site.
I remind you that even though Medicare doesn't "currently" cover the monthly cost of this service.....
Additionally, as more people work with their doctors and put this request before their insurance company (MedPrompt does all the forwarding of paperwork) - the more the insurance companies realize what a cost saving investment this is overall (see info on their website...) or just remember how much that trip to the ER was because someone forgot or doubled up on meds...
We all know that finding a cure is the overall goal in the Parkinson's community - but for those of us who deal with it in our daily lives - every little bit of help adds up.
I'm not an employee of this company! But I can give wonderful testimonials as to their benefits for my mom and my dad -
Plus, now I can page him whenever I want them to call me! Such is life. . .