BOTH MY FEET FELL SWELLEN BUT THEY ARE NOT SWELLEN..NO

Brief Answer:
Taking Azilect or not should be discussed with your neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Good evening from XXXXXXX Italy.

I hope you're doing well since our last conversation a couple of weeks ago. You are mentioning once again the SENSATION of swelling in your feet without noticeable or obvious swelling. This would most likely be a reflection of a PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. You say that there are no pains, no tingling sensations (and I will assume no XXXXXXX NUMBNESS). You say that you feel as if you were walking a sponge. Again, your symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of NEUROPATHY as we might see in a diabetic, a person with peripheral vascular disease who has hypercholesterolemia, a HYPOTHYROID person, or somehow who could be suffering from a neuropathy secondary to excessive alcohol use or a deficiency of vitamin B12, or even D.

You are asking about continuing to take rasagiline, however, I am not clear on whether you are suspecting this medication as the culprit to your neuropathy or are you telling me that since you've been on it for so long (came out commercially 2006 in the U.S.) and you have not seen any significant improvements in your PARKSINSON'S DISEASE that you feel it is a superfluous drug.

I will tell you a little about this drug. In essence, it is approved by the FDA as a single agent therapy or as an adjunct (assistant to something else that is primary) in the treatment primarily of NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS having to do with PARKINSON'S DISEASE (PD). An example of what Rasigiline is said to treat particularly well in association with PD effects would be things like FATIGUE, slowness of thought, mood disorders, depression, distractibility, poor concentration and attention, and other symptoms often attributed to PD having to do with behavior, mood, and thought processing.

The problem is that in its Phase 3 trials the FDA actually rejected any claims that this drug specifically targetted these NON-MOTOR ASPECTS of PD but did agree that data showed that it could be used either in addition to or as a primary drug to treat PD. The makers of Azilect had also attempted to make the claim that the drug was NEUROPROTECTIVE and this meant that it could be used to SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION of PD as it evolves.

However, the FDA rejected these claims as well in 2011. So, AZILECT is currently ONLY indicated by the FDA to treat PD either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to any other primary therapy for PD such as LEVODOPA. It cannot be expected to slow the progression of disease. Nor can it be expected to treat NON-MOTOR symptoms of PD...though anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that there are a number of such symptoms that may be improved in some patients by using this medication.

As far as discontinuing this medication is concerned. This is really not a question you want to ask on this network since giving advice on something as critical as stopping or changing a drug being taken for PD and prescribed by another physician should be only be undertaken by someone who has EXAMINED YOU thoroughly for not just your PD but everything else you might also have....then, making a rational decision as to what seems reasonable and what doesn't.

Withdrawal of this medication (even if tapered) can result in confusion, fever, and other rebound conditions and should only be done under supervision of the prescribing physician.

Therefore, I recommend that instead of withdrawing this medication you discuss the PROS and CONS of its continued use including the fact that you have taken it for some long without significant improvement (this is my guess from the way you've framed your question) with your physician.

If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors by CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on your condition if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and let me know how things turned out.

I am also available for an in person consultation since you live in the State of Ohio and not too terribly far it would seem from my office.

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope our discussion has aided in your understanding of a few concepts related to your concerns.


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