Q: Here is a question from one of our readers:
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about two years ago. Can you tell me of any natural way to increase my energy and not be so fatigued? I am also having a hard time with my stiffness and have been taking Sinemet twice a day, but it doesn't seem to help. My tremor is worsening. I am in a balance and mobility class twice a week and have just started Tai Chi a week ago. I am 55 years old and have muscle pains every day with this, I just need some kind of guidance.
Any help will do, thanks!
Dr. Wagner: If you ask Parkinson’s disease patients what is the most troublesome problem for them, they will say fatigue is the worst. Some therapy does help loosen up the muscles, so you should be commended for taking classes to help yourself. As most Parkinson’s patients will attest to, PD is like moving through molasses. So, what can be done? For fatigue you may want to try Provigil–200 mg. first thing in the morning, once a day. This drug provides a boost to alertness and combats exhaustion. Many of the other meds used to treat PD tend to cause drowsiness so patients are coping with twice the fatigue. Provigil works well to counteract the side effects from the meds as well as fatigue from Parkinson’s. Good luck!
Q: What are some of the medications that are close to being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that you feel would be beneficial to patients?
Dr. Wagner: Requip XR will be coming out soon. It’s a once-a-day pill that will better control symptoms with a steady dose of meds throughout the day. This is so much better than taking pills throughout the day to maintain a steady dose of meds in your system.
Q: Have you ever performed DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)?
Dr.Wagner: No, but I’ve sent patients to Vanderbilt Medical Center for this procedure. They have a great Movement Disorder facility and they are always on the cutting edge of treatment. That’s why I choose to send my more advanced patients to them for this procedure.
Photo By Mindy Schwartz