Just seen my consultant yesterday who has been treating me for suspected MND for nearly 3yrs. At my last consultation she asked me to have a Dat-Scan to rule out the possibility of Parkinsons. I was also given Senimet Plus tablets. The scan results show that my brain was not producing dopamine and the tablets did help my speech so now i am off to see a Parkinsons Specialist to see what he makes of it all!!!!
My symptoms started with my speech ( slurring words and I developed a sort of a stammer struggling to get my words out). It moved on to a drooping Jaw and drooling and along with many other bits and bobs my walking is now affected, I use a walking stick to give me support as my balance is haywire and i feel as though i have had one or two drinks.
What caused my MND consultant to review my case was simply that she noticed how i walked into her office and struggled to get out of the chair. Everything seems to be working in slow motion.
I have come off the drugs because of the side affects, has any one else had major side affects.
I can not help with major side effects , i have only just started Sinemet so am gradually working up to a dose that works for me having been diagnosed with PD in August this year, cant really say i have suffered any major side effects just nausea nothing i can't put up with
struggling to get out of a chair and feeling stiff and achy along with a rest tremor was what initially sent me off to see my gp ,
good luck with the parkinsons specialist
yes i can fully relate to things feeling like there in slow motion
I can relate to some of what you've said. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and I've been on Sinemet Plus for most of that time. At first it was fine and it helped a lot with my symptoms (which were like you described: feeling stiff / slow and slight difficulty walking) but after about a year the side effects really kicked in.
You don't say what side effects you've been getting from the Sinemet, but I was having really bad involuntary movements (dyskinesias) which I put up with for several years until about a year ago when I was prescribed a drug called Topiramate which has helped to counteract it.
I'm also having a few problems with speech, although for me that seems to be more of a recent thing. It wasn't one of my early symptoms like it was for you.
I hope your appointment with the Parkinson's specialist goes OK. You'll be able to discuss the Sinemet side effects with him / her and hopefully agree on some treatment which works for you.
Have you been referred to the Speech Therapist? The NICE recommended therapy for speech problems associated with Parkinson's is LSVT. It is an intensive 4 week therapy that has excellent results and lasts at least 2 years.
Some NHS Speech Therapy services offer it and it is also available privately. Have a look at my website for more info:
