Nice to be here. To cut a long story short my dad (75) has recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons and has gone from being a very independent and upbeat man. His symptoms aren’t too bad at the moment, he’s had a tremor in one of his hands for years and more recently has been having trouble with his co-ordination i.e. putting his right foot forward when it was meant to be his left etc.
He was prescribed a dopamine antagonist medication around 2 months ago and ever since that his quality of life has dramatically decreased. He’s constantly lethargic, has to nap several times a day just to get through the day and usually he’d walk at least 10,000 steps a day and swim 3 times a week but struggling.
I’m just wondering if there is anyone here that has had similar experiences and if there’s any link between that particular medication (xxxxxxx) or if it’s more the disease progressing? He’s had heart issues in the past and also has angina which seem to have been under control for the last 15 years.
Any help or advice would be massively appreciated as we’re struggling to get many answers from the NHS as the average wait time just to speak to doctor is around 2-3 months.
Good morning Kyle … Sorry to hear your Dad is struggling with his Parkinson’s symptoms. I am 70. I was diagnosed following a positive Datscan just over a year ago. I have Atypical Parkinson’s. I was first put on Madopar which I took for 1 week but stopped as it made my brain feel hot. Then I was put on Ropinirole which I didn’t get on with so I stopped that. Then went onto Co-careldopa also known as Sinemet
& that is really working for me. I am also on medication for Neuropathy & Atrial Fibrillation & high blood pressure. The Sinemet worked for me straight away & I am very pleased with it.
Your Dad should update his Neurologist or Parkinson’s nurse to say that he isn’t getting on with the Parkinson’s drug he is taking.
There are side effects for Parkinson’s & the Parkinson’s drugs. Depression is quite normal as is fatigue & sleeping problems.
The help desk here is very helpful & you can speak to a trained Parkinson’s nurse free of charge. Why not give them a ring. I have phoned them 3 times over the past year. 0808 800 0303
When we get into our 70’s we can get multiple different health challenges & are taking quite a lot of different medications that perhaps don’t interact well together
or cause symptoms & Parkinson’s gets the blame.
Do let us know how you get on. Any questions please ask.
We just wanted to take a moment and join Steve – and the others to come – in welcoming you to the forum community. Do make use of the helpline as Steve suggested. The advisors there are able to provide answers on a range of subjects, and they can help you in finding additional or better care in your dad’s area. Again, they can be reached on 0808 800 0303.
We also have an extensive and up-to-date website where you can learn about dopamine agonists, among other things, here: Dopamine agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole) | Parkinson's UK. The search bar in the top right corner will yield a wealth of results.
We hope these tools can help you and your Dad, and again we wish you a warm welcome to our lovely forum community.
Hi Then00ne,
Jason and Steve2 have given great advice, however mine is slightly different.
The reaction of your dad when he started taking ‘a dopamine antagonist medication’ seems horrific.
I would have immediately stopped that particular medication, got hold of the doctor and have him prescribe something else.
As you know we all have different side effects to the various medications, that is specifically why there are a number of differing medications and combinations.
And no, the symptoms you described are certainly not a sign of the PD progression.
The progression will continue however not as fast and as bad as that.
Please take him off, even if he is on nothing, it sounds as if he would be much, much better without it.
Just one caveat, you cannot stop it immediately, but must wean him off it.
Perhaps if you are giving him say two pills a day try to reduce it to 3 every two days, then slowly one every two days etc.
That being said, please please speak to a different neuro, before this is just totally unacceptable.
