weight gain on Azilect and Benztropin

[stclair]

Has anyone had weight gain on the PD drugs? I'm not sure which one is the culprit but I've started gaining a pound a day. Plus as I said in the other message I would love to know what I can take with these meds that will ease depression (which is also a new.)
At this rate I'll be 900 pounds and depressed to boot!
I'm not sure what the azilect is doing but the benztropin is keeping the tremors down. I know this because I started on the azilect a month after I took benztropin.
Any suggestions will be gratefully welcomed. My neurologist is conservative with starting new drugs. Which is good and bad.

[olsen]

husband has been taking azilect for 1 yr now and has not experienced any weight gain. though the info about side effects on webmd does contain a notice that unusual weight gain is an effect to bring to your doc's attention "immediately": ( a pound a day seems quite alarming to me...and even though i am easily alarmed, were I you, I would call your doc or at least speak with his/her nurse or your pharmacist about this- think about whether your appetitie has increased to such a degree that this amount of weight gain is possible, or are you swelling anywhere, such as in your feet and legs? has your urine volume decreased or are you abnormally thirsty? all questions you will be asked)-

(as usual the side effects listed are numerous...i am just including the paragraph regarding weight gain--you may access the web site for the rest of the side effects:)

http://tinyurl.com/htmzh

side effects:


Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, loss of balance, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations), worsening muscle stiffness/twitching, changes in sexual ability/interest, increased shaking (tremor), swollen ankles/legs, change in amount of urine, unusual weight gain/loss

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

[stclair]

Thank you for your reply. I've made an appt. today to see the doc on the 20th. Thank you for all your info!
stclair

[Annuity22]

I have been on the drug for 5 years. I was part of the study to get it approved. Over the last 5 years I have put on 40 lbs. I am so frustrated. Have you gotten any feedback from your dr.?? Please let me know!

[maryfrances]

I've been gaining weight on azilect and I'm not sure if it is helping my pd or making it worse.:confused:

[Teretxu]

I'm not sure about azilect, because it's not approved here yet. If I'm not mistaken it's the second generation selegiline, and selegiline I took for many years, but I had to drop it this year because it gave me very bad migraines and cough. Other than that "inconvenience" it was fantastic. It kept me in great spirits, very active and positive, and it didn't make me put on any weight at all. Looks like it's replacement is not exactly a great improvement.

Maybe you should check out good old selegiline.

Take care
Teresa

[Annuity22]

Please keep me posted on this weight gain subject. I am trying to get to the bottom of it! Thanks

[maryfrances]

I got off of azilect
lost 2 lbs right away
most people say I could use the extra weight,
but 5 lbs in a month was too much for me

I was taking lexapro .10 along w/azilect w/no
complications

[Annuity22]

Thanks for your input! I spoke to my dr. today and I am going to try to go off the azilect. I hope I begin to see a weight loss soon. Its been 5 years on the drug and 5 years of rapid weight gain- so frustrating. What did they put you on instead?

Thanks Again!:

[maryfrances]

I am still on Mirapex and Lexapro ..... nothing else.

[Slumpy]

Mary Frances,
How are you doing on Mirapex? I responded to your question about Mirapex a week or so ago.

Slumpy

[maryfrances]

Hey Slumpy,

I am doing fine. Could be better....could use a little more movement
in my right arm and hand.

Thanks so much for asking! I am touched that you even
remembered.

LOL

Mary:D

[paulie]

Hi I am fed up with Mirapex. I have gained 30 lbs in 4 months. I am trying altenative medicine (accupunture). It has helped a little but I think I will try to get off the Mirapex. I don't believe the positive outweighs the negative.
Paulie

[cesar]

I have been on Azilect for the last 5 months and have not experienced any weight problems. May I draw your attention to possible Thyroid gland problems. Please ask your MD to run a blood analysis on that.

[maryfrances]

St. Clair

How's it going for you?
I have been off azilect for quite
some time now. Originally, I lost
2 lbs., but lately I've gained 5 lbs.!
Guess it wasn't the azilect!!!

Did you ever discover what was
causin your weight gain?

Hope you are well.

Mary

[SherylJ]

I started gaining weight with Mirapex and Elavil, but since adding Azilect the weight gain has been exponential. I am quite willing to accept some of the blame for choosing Cherry Garcia bars over Skinny Cows, but they are too smalll to account for all of the increase. I'm not sure Azilect is helping my PD symptoms.
Sheryl

[jeanb]

I haven't gained any weight due to pd meds. I have maintained pretty much the same (over) weight physique since my PD diagnosis.

I will say that while I was web searching and trolling through PD symptoms, I found the ONE symptom I WANTED to get:

"... unexplained weight loss..."

Sheesh - why is it only skinny people get that one? I askd my neuro and she just laughed. :rolleyes:

best,

[K Hamilton]

I just put a long post on the Weekly check-in, so here I will merely say that I have added about 25 pounds in three months, and attribute it to Mirapex. And this while still exercising regularly!