Helping Those Who Care for Parkinson's Patients
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Hi there. I haven't posted since my father's initial diagnosis of early stage PD about 6 months ago. He was put on the lowest dose of Requip and then a few weeks later they upped it slightly. Since then (maybe sometime in September) he has felt the drug has been working very well and felt back to normal for the most part although had mild symptoms now and then. Within the past few weeks he can feel that the meds are not working as well. He can't get in to see his doctor until next week because he is out of town but suspects they will increase the dosage. My question is, does the fact that he would need an increase in Requip this soon indicate that the progression of the disease will be fast? We were hopeful in the beginning because he was in an early stage and he felt so much better after starting the meds. We knew in the back of our minds that there is no guarantee how fast or slow PD will progress but were obviously hoping his case would go slowly and now I'm worried that we are dealing with a more aggressive form. The poor guy turns 60 on Saturday and is feeling down and now worried even more because of this. I just feel so sad and helpless for him. Thanks for your help! Kelley |
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Kelley, I'm sorry you feel sad and helpless. Please come back here often and post. We have all been there and are here for you. My wife was diagnosed almost 3 years ago (wow, I just realized it has been that long). She too takes Requip, and recently began taking Requip XL. She really likes the controlled release and has fewer "off" periods during the day. You should ask the neurologist if he could begin taking Requip XL. Wish a happy birthday to dad for me and tell him to keep positive. -Bruce |
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Kelley, My understanding is that it's not at all unusual for PD medication dosages to be adjusted every six months or so. My husband, who's 63, was diagnosed 7 years ago. His neurologist adjusted the dosages and types of medications a lot during the first 3 or 4 years, trying to find the right balance. There was a lot of trial and error in those first years. He had the same worries that your dad seems to be having, thinking that his case of PD was worse and more quickly progressing than he was lead to believe at first. It wasn't. The adjustments in meds haven't been nearly as necessary in the last couple of years. The doctors have been able to adjust the drugs so that they are most effective during the hours he"s at work and least effective by the time he's about to go to bed. He's still working full-time and has been greatly helped by pilates sessions three times a week and by anti-depressants in addition to the PD medicines. He and his doctors feel exercise has helped to slow the effects of the disease. If your dad is feeling down, he should mention it to his doctors because depression often goes along with PD. Anti-depressants have GREATLY helped my husband since his diagnosis, but my sense is that they won't be prescribed unless the patient mentions that he might be in need of them. Be patient and be strong! |
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| mollysmom- Not to worry about the need to increase meds. Requip doesn't do the job for many PD patients. My husband has the rigid form of PD and has been taking 6 meds for about 12 years (total of 26 pills per day) He's in his 16 year (65 years old)and is mobile for most of the day. While he doesn't drive anymore, he works at the golf course 2 days a week and is quite active. From what I've been told, PD patients do best when meds are optimized. This has certainly been the case with my hubby. Make sure you are seeing a movement disorder specialist and not just a private general neurologist. |
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Thank you for your reassuring responses. I shared them with my dad and he said it made him feel a lot better (if you knew him, you'd know he wouldn't say that unless it were the case  Again, I appreciate your help and I will be checking in here when I can!Kelley |
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Requip is something I have not heard of before. My husband is on Sinemet which is a levadopa carbdopa mix. When I searched Requip it seems to be dopamine agonist and I don't know what that means compared to Sinemet. My husband was Dxd in November with 3rd stage Parkinson's and has spiralled downhill quickly since then. In early December he was taking 3 Sinemet 100/25 a day and now he is taking 3 of them every three hours as well as the Sinemet 200/50 at night. What is the difference in REquip and Sinemet. Why would one be prescribed for a PD patient and not the other? I don't want to side track your post so I will start another post as I have more questions. Happygranny/Jeannie |