Newly Diagnosed

[vmartino26]

It sounds like you have a good exercise program to me. I'm meeting with a personal trainer tomorrow so I'll see how it goes. In the meantime, last night the muscle spasms went crazy. Called me neuro who put me back on my old medication Neurontin to see if that would quiet them down. He was thinking about stopping the Azilect over the weekend to see if that had any impact. Fortunately the spasms died down after I took the Neurontin, so everything stays the same with the Azilect. I take a bunch of pills a day for my heart and ongoing muscle pain, and and every time there's any change it seems like it throws my entire body out of synch. Well, at least things are quiet for now. My exercise routine is pretty boring stuff -- every other day on the treadmill for 45 minutes. It's worked well for me in the past, but I definitely need to step it up for what's coming in the future. Thanks for your suggestion about the personal training. Stay well.

[vmartino26]

Well, I haven't written for a couple of weeks, so here goes. Things are pretty quiet. I'm on 1MG of Azilect once a day. I've been on it for approximately three weeks. No side effects that I've been able to discern. Although I do seem to have less of an appetite, which is a good thing. 'm in the process of losing weight. My weight on January 1st was 260, and as of today I'm at 235. So I'm feeling great about that. Another thirty-five to go. I'm also doing the treadmill four times a week for 45 minutes per session. Rigidity in my right hand which was one of my symptoms appears to actually be better. I'm still experiencing the feeling that my right hand and arm want to shake, but as of yet that hasn't happened. And when I'm busy, the sensation is neglible. So I try to stay busy! My wife and I are attending our first PD seminar next week. The topic is related to new medications and treatments available to PD patients. In May we've going to another seminar that also deals with new treatments and how to best live with PD in your life. I still find myself a bit down at times, and am still contemplating seeking counseling to deal with that issue, but right now I'm feeling okay and satisfied that I'm doing the best I can against an insidious disease. Thanks for all the information from everybody. I'll keep you up-to-date as best I can.

[sunshine221]

vmartino

Great to hear from you. I see my neuromuscular neurologist this week but have been doing good lately - don't know if its from the Azliect or a natural up and down (actually today was a little worse than its been). The specialist I see is on a teaching hospital staff but not in a huge metro area - you have a lot more resources in your area. Well meaning friends keep saying "try this" or "try that" - its so hard to know if any of the alternative treatments are worth it or not.

I'll post after the doc visit.
-sunshine

[sunshine221]

vmartino

Doc didn't have much to say at this last visit - pretty much stay with the meds I'm on and keep exercising and just watch for things that could get worse with my spinal stenosis.

I told him I'm not sure the Azilect does much but he says it's like an "insurance policy" to keep the body steady so I guess I'll stick with it even though its a very high co-pay on my insurance.

You say you are newley diagnosed but really how long have you had symptoms. I was diagnosed a year ago but actually I'm coming up on four years that I've had symptoms (since I was 46).

-sunshine

[kkh47]

Dear Sunshine,

You said that you had symptoms since you were 46. I was wondering what they were? What were the symptoms that caused you to see a neuro, four years later?

Thank you,
kkh47