Hi SF, a GP has on average about two PD patients on his books, so his/her experience and knowledge is limited. Ideally we would all be seen by a Parkinson specialist neurologist or a movement disorder specialist, but a neurologist should certainly be the one who is in charge of your medication.
Hi Jen, The choice of medication for PD looks seemingly endless, but this is deceptive. THE most effective treatment is still Levodopa(since the sixties) in the form of Madopar, Sinemet or Stalevo. In the end we all take one out of this group. The other medication , like dopamine agonists (nowadays mainly Mirapexin, Ropinerole and Apomorphine), MAO-B inhibitors (Selegiline and Rasagiline), Anticholinergics (less often given, but mainly trihexyphenidyl(Artane)), and usually at a later stage the Comt inhibitors (entacapone and tolcapone, and also as one of the three ingredients present in Stalevo)have limited roles as monotherapy for a while or as addition to Levodopa to enhance its effect. The combinations possible out of these different groups are of course extensive and as every patient is different in symptoms and reaction to meds(even in the same category), we all seem to be on a totally different regime. In the end it is up to us and our carers to monitor our performance on the drugs , so we find out what works best for us individually, so we can give the neurologist the feedback on which he/she can base their prescription (adjustments/increase/decrease) The PDS produces a useful leaflet on the drug treatment of PD

Hi deltapark thanks for reply, sounds as though you are in the same profession as me, I am an Administrating Business Assistant!!! this is a new title just been agreed. Anyway, in short, I do the office work for a Children with Disabilities team, am hoping to retire the end of this year, not because of P.D but I suppose this might have had a bearing. I do tend to get away without the P.D showing at work (I think) as I do find it difficult if it rears its ugly head. I still find I can type okay as when I am busy P.D does tend to take a back seat. Well am going on a bit, glad to hear your med is helping you cope. I have written a list now with all the side effects experienced. Bye for now Jen

Hi Kate thanks for reply and thanks for info on medications, I do find it difficult getting my brain around them all and what they are supposed to do, but at present I seem to be coping with just the Rasagiline with no side effects, do wonder if its doing anything!! Anyway will hang in there and see how things go. Thanks again Jen.

Hi Jen, Rasagiline did nothing for me, but give it at least three months

Hi, I've just been diagnosed (aged 46). Loads of symptoms over the years too, which I put down to reaching my forties! PD has been affecting my ability to work (lots of typing and computer work) and function generally, so am on meds already (an emotional as well as medical prop). Now on my fourth week of ropinirole. Yes, have had nausea and sickness and general tiredness (but have felt tired for years now). After reading some of the posts, I think I've been lucky, the nausea hasn't lasted long and am prepared to put up with it for the improvements - a general feeling of wellbeing. (I take beta blockers because I have an essential tremor too!) I try to stay active and positive, but would really be interested in any advice on diet. (this is my first posting, I'll try to shorten them in future!) DJ

Hi I'm new here, just had my diagnosis before Christmas. It came as a big shock, although my GP had said it was a possibility and its certainly answered some questions about problems I'd been having.

Ive started on ropinirole, am up to 6mg daily now, question is will I ever stop feeling sick & tired and will I ever sleep !?

Apart from that am I right in thinking that PD is recognised under DDA? I have been off work for a litle while until Im sorted out and wonder what my employer is likely to think?

Hi Joyce and welcome to the forum
Sorry about your diagnosis.
You will probably find that more people will see your post if you put it under a new topic. Go to Newly Diagnosed and press the New Topic button. Then write your post again. Sometimes posts can get a bit lost.
All the best
Carrot

Joyce.

The sickness did eventually stop for my OH but it did take some time and the addition of anti sickness medication, Domperidone, to help.

Now it is hardly ever needed despite being on 12mg of Requip daily plus all the Madopar.

Thought I'd give an update for ay passing newbies.

Requip continued to make me feel awful with incapacitating drowsiness and an awful zonked out brain so after appx 6 weeks I was taken off them. I thought maybe I ought to try another agonist or, as suggested by a nurse, redose the requip and persevere a bit longer, but neuro, GP and consultant traineee all separately said i should use sinemet so I succumbed. I had no side effects apart from much physical fatigue and there was an immediate improvement of dystoinia.
Body fatigue (not mind fatigue as was the case with requip) meant I dragged myself around with difficulty but I'd rather that than having my head feel mussy so here I am. I've been taking Sinemet for a year+ and I still have fatigue but not all the time. At times, like now, I can feel quite normal. I am anxious about going out alone.
All in all the decision to take Sinemet was best certainly in the short term and in the long term anything might happen

All one can do is hope for slow progression and that the tabs work for a long time without ill effect, (but there's no way of knowing so 'onwards and downwards')

Best of luck to all who pass here!.