when to increase medication

[nelsontj]

My wife had her Mirapex increased 2 weeks ago to the highest level for an agonist, 6mg a day. It did not help much with her walking which was why it was increased. I think we know our next move to Sinemet or equivalent, but we scared.

Do we live with her inabilty to feel good about the way she walks, or do we increase the meds?

Anyone in that same boat?

[bgconc]

I too am having a hard time walking and I walk strangely. Everbody wants to know if I have injured a knee or hip. I have talked to my Neurologist and He to has reccomended that I start taking the 6mg Mirapex three times a day, instead of the 4mg. I hate to take the higher dose as the Mirapex makes me sleepy and gives me a upset stomach. I guess if it will make me able to walk better, it is probably worth it. I have not yet got my 6mg pills, I am using up my 4mg pills.
Hope the 6mg dose will do you some good eventually, as it takes some time for the drug to build up in your system.I would wait a while, untill you tried a new drug as it takes a while to build up in your system. My Doc says to try it for 30 days before calling him.

[ltd-addition]

Hi
I've been on mirapexin for 6 yrs and up until march 08 I added another drug & started stalevo as well

Mirapexin or pramipexole as its both known as, works wonders for me but your body gets used to it .

0.18Mg three times a day as well as 0.7Mg three times a day I still take of mirapexin.

If its upsetting your tummy keep a food diary because I found I had irritable bowel and after getting a food allergy test resulting in an intolerance of wheat, gluten, citrus fruits and dairy produce and cutting it out, my tummy settled.
Remember if you have an infection it can knock the mirapexin off and stop it from working, because an infection can make your Parker's really bad as well. Some antibiotics can do the same but at least after a weeks course if you can tolerate it you soon come back on track

One more bit of advice - protein can stop the full absorption of Mirapexin as well as others parkers drug's so remember to have your most amount of protein in an evening .

I hope it helps you

[Mary]

My wife had her Mirapex increased 2 weeks ago to the highest level for an agonist, 6mg a day. It did not help much with her walking which was why it was increased. I think we know our next move to Sinemet or equivalent, but we scared.

Do we live with her inabilty to feel good about the way she walks, or do we increase the meds?

Anyone in that same boat?
Hi Nelson
I have had PD since 1999 fortunately progressing VERY slowly I take Mirpex (Pramipexol) 1 x 0.7 + 1 x 0.18 three times a day plus 1 and half of Sinemet Plus 3 times a day ,i also dreaded going to that level but I must say I feel very well on them.My walking although slow is marvellous when tablets work the difference considerably noticeable without them.The meds do make me extremely tired about 30mins after taking them but once I get past that I am fine,one of them also gave me terrible heartburn(thought I was pregnant again at 60 odd) but I also take Lansripole to combat it .Seems we often need another tablet to combat effects of first one.Hope you can get a good range of advise to help make up your minds.Stay positive that is the best medicine
Mary:):)

[nelsontj]

thanks for the reply Mary. Things got bad enough for my wife that we just started Sinemet, 25/100. First dose was last night so we'll see how it goes.

[neekalu]

Hi,

I take meripex and stalevo and don't know if this will help but when I get in slow motion I increase taking my stalevo by 15 min. I don't see my doctor but every 6 months and I've been taking stalevo fo about 6yrs. My doctor says you know your body and what it needs and just be carefull so when slow motion kicks in I increase my stalevo by 15 min. and if If start with involuntary movement I decrease my meds. I do know stalevo helps me to walk.Im taking only 1.5 mg. of meripex and I take it every 6hrs. I hope I helped, 6yrs. ago I could not walk and was in a wheel chair. Thanks to stalevo I'm walking again. I'm not new I just haven't been here in awhile.

Good luck and God Bless You
Neekalu

[Mary]

Hi Neekalu
Wondeful that you have recovered so much will give hope to many people
Mary