On Tuesday, our interview with blogger Steve Ploussard of “Attitude & Fitness Wins” revealed how one person is managing his Parkinson’s disease (PD). Today we take a closer look at this progressive neurological condition using the data and experiences shared by our 5,920 PD members.
Taking a look at the makeup of our PD community, 52% are male, and 48% are female. More than 98% identify PD as their primary condition, and just shy of 20% report experiencing their first symptom between the ages of 50 and 59. Others report experiencing their first symptom anywhere from adolescence to their seventies. (See the chart for a complete breakdown.) What exactly are the symptoms of this condition? Some of the most commonly reported include stiffness/spasticity, slowness, sexual dysfunction, memory problems, excessive daytime drowsiness and constipation.
As Steve’s interview revealed, Carbidopa-Levodopa (Sinemet) is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for PD as it helps to control tremors, one of the most visible manifestations of the disease, and other movement dysfunctions. Currently, more than 1,698 members report taking this medication, and 300+ of them have submitted Sinemet treatment evaluations, which review the drug's effectiveness, side effects, dosage, cost and more. Here’s what one patient writes about Sinemet on her evaluation: “I notice my leg limp and motivation to walk improves dramatically when it kicks in. The tremor is much less.”
Other commonly reported PD treatments include prescription medications such as Ropinirole (Requip), Pramipexole (Mirapex), Rasagiline (Azilect) and Amantadine; OTC supplements such as CoQ10; and surgical procedures such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Click on the treatment name to see the data we’ve amassed for each, including hundreds of treatment evaluations submitted by our patients.
This is just a sample of the wealth of experience and data to be found at PatientsLikeMe. Dive in today to learn more about PD.