posted
Hi, new here, diagnosed about a year ago. Still in denial, I'm sure. :-) I am told the symptoms I have are mild but they feel anything but mild to me. The MD has been trying different meds to control them and now we are to Requip.
My questions regard dosages and frequency of dosing. My MD gave me some 0.25mg samples and said to try them, increasing the dose, until I felt they were working. That struck me as a bit vague and I wondered if anyone else takes Requip only, and how much and how frequently you take it.
Any advice is appreciated.
Posts: 3 | From: california | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Hi, I was also diagnosed about a year ago. I am taking Requip as well and I was started out on a starter kit. The dosage was increased .25mg every week. I was told the same thing - increase until I felt good. I am currently taking 3mg 3x a day. (I do take selegiline as well, so requip is not the only med).I will tell you to absolutely eat when you take this medication, especially when you get to the higher dosages. This medicine upsets my stomach if I don't take it in the middle of a meal.
Posts: 7 | From: Erie Pa | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by jeriva: Hi, new here, diagnosed about a year ago. Still in denial, I'm sure. :-) I am told the symptoms I have are mild but they feel anything but mild to me. The MD has been trying different meds to control them and now we are to Requip.
My questions regard dosages and frequency of dosing. My MD gave me some 0.25mg samples and said to try them, increasing the dose, until I felt they were working. That struck me as a bit vague and I wondered if anyone else takes Requip only, and how much and how frequently you take it.
posted
hi...i am newly diagnosed too. and have just began treatment on requip. i started with the wk-1 = .25, wk-2 = .5, wk-3 = .75 and wk-4 = 1.0. that's where my dr. told me to stop. i've just started my wk-5 and i feel lousy. i actually felt better on .75 dose. i forgot to mention that i take the dose 3x per day. i've never taken any meds except my vitamins, my body is not liking this at all. i'll probbly call my dr. on monday to discuss the dosage. i would be happier taking less.
i was told that i have mild symptoms...if these are mild...i'm in for a lonng and rocky road. Good luck to you!
posted
You are fortunate that your docs started you out on a dopamine agonist like Requip. Mirapex is another. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and have taken Requip for that period of time. I have been fortunate to have had a slow progression.
The 'normal' range for Requip is 9-24 mg a day with 24 being the max. I take 6 mg a day - 2mg when wake, 2 mid-day, 2 in eve. Works for me. Doesn't work for everyone. Some folks have side effects ...which can be true of any pd med.
It's important that you educate yourself about your meds. As a young onset person, you have many years ahead of you. Learn to make the best of those years (that can mean different things to different folks).
You are your own best advocate - get involved, educate yourself!
quote:Originally posted by jeriva: Hi, new here, diagnosed about a year ago. Still in denial, I'm sure. :-) I am told the symptoms I have are mild but they feel anything but mild to me. The MD has been trying different meds to control them and now we are to Requip.
My questions regard dosages and frequency of dosing. My MD gave me some 0.25mg samples and said to try them, increasing the dose, until I felt they were working. That struck me as a bit vague and I wondered if anyone else takes Requip only, and how much and how frequently you take it.
posted
Yrd, I tskr only Requip 5mg. four times a day. MY NEUROLOGIST HAS BEEN TRRYING DIFFERENT TIMES AND DOSSAGES. If I need to adjust, I do just that.
Posts: 8 | From: Greenville, SC | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful responses. I read up on Requip and went back to request a starter kit. I am now at 3mg x 3 times a day. I have been at that level for two weeks and it certainly has made a huge difference in how I feel. The only negative is that I will suddenly find myself drenched in perspiration for no apparent reason. (And, no, it is not because I am a woman of a certain age........) I understand that some of the side effects lessen over time. Sure hope this one does. :-)
Thanks, Jeri
Posts: 3 | From: california | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Just came here for the first time. My doctor has me on just 1mg Requip taken in the evening. She has now suggested that I take 0.25 or 0.5 in the morning also. This is still not working, I notice you are taking 3mg three times a day. Is this giving you total relief, except forthe perspiration? I am getting desperate to get this to a point where I am comfortable. My RLS is really bad, to the point while driving I often just go down the road crying. Sounds like a girly thing.
Posts: 16 | From: Vermont | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I was diagnosed two years ago (age 64)with PD. I resisted taking medication but was compeled by a weaking and painful condition. Presently, I am taking 2 tablets of Sinemet 3 times a days (on an empty stomach). Simultaneously, 1 tablet Requip (.25 mg) 3 times a day. Also 25 mg Amatadine twice a day and 200 mg Coenzyme Q10 per day. Finally 1/2 tablet Ambien at 3AM to continue sleeping until morning.
My legs are pain free and I have regained 20 lbs. Shaking is greatly reduced. My greatest complaint is with discomfort in my stomach. It feels constricted in the evening. I can't figure the problem. I delayed having an endoscopy by a specialist but will submit if this is the only course. It feels like a muscle problem. Any ideas?
Posts: 30 | From: Southern California | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by DB1: I was diagnosed two years ago (age 64)with PD. I resisted taking medication but was compeled by a weaking and painful condition. Presently, I am taking 2 tablets of Sinemet 3 times a days (on an empty stomach). Simultaneously, 1 tablet Requip (.25 mg) 3 times a day. Also 25 mg Amatadine twice a day and 200 mg Coenzyme Q10 per day. Finally 1/2 tablet Ambien at 3AM to continue sleeping until morning.
My legs are pain free and I have regained 20 lbs. Shaking is greatly reduced. My greatest complaint is with discomfort in my stomach. It feels constricted in the evening. I can't figure the problem. I delayed having an endoscopy by a specialist but will submit if this is the only course. It feels like a muscle problem. Any ideas?
I should mention that my nurologist started me on Requip,initially,with 0.25 mg tablet (corrected 7/3/06) and an Ambien tablet at bedtime.
I would really appreciate some input on this problem. I have had this stomach discomfort for as long as I'ved had symptoms of PD. Numerous blood tests, urine test and even stool specimens and X-ray, MRI and ultra sound have shown nothing. I would think that these symptoms are not unique and that someone has a similar problem and has an answer.
Thank you for your time.
D.B.
Posts: 30 | From: Southern California | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I had the endoscopy yesterday and suffered no complication. However, the attending doctor prescibed Reglan for the stomach disorder. I took a 10 mg pill at lunch time and was uncomfortable all afternoon, so I decided to look up the drug on the internet. To my shock, Reglan is the subject of many lawsuits. Lawyers are lined up to make a case against it. The principle problem is that it may cause Tardive Dyskinesia and contribute to Parkinsonism. The FDA issued a warning in 1996. Has anyone else run accross this?
D.B.
Posts: 30 | From: Southern California | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I'd give serious thought to finding a new doc if I were you! It looks as though your present doctor is "bribed" by drug manufacturers!
Posts: 9 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Thanks for the reply. I have to ask, which doctor? I've had five over the last two years. My primary care (PC) doctor, two neurologist (one who left town), and two gastroenterologist (one who left town also).
My PC doctor thinks that the second GI doctor did not know that I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Although I am sure that I informed the first one.
In any case, you are probally right. I take far too many drugs. This runs totally against my grain.
Is there any way to get off this track?
Posts: 30 | From: Southern California | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by lizzy4451: You are fortunate that your docs started you out on a dopamine agonist like Requip. Mirapex is another. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and have taken Requip for that period of time. I have been fortunate to have had a slow progression.
The 'normal' range for Requip is 9-24 mg a day with 24 being the max. I take 6 mg a day - 2mg when wake, 2 mid-day, 2 in eve. Works for me. Doesn't work for everyone. Some folks have side effects ...which can be true of any pd med.
It's important that you educate yourself about your meds. As a young onset person, you have many years ahead of you. Learn to make the best of those years (that can mean different things to different folks).
You are your own best advocate - get involved, educate yourself!