Whilst I have no proof to hand the PWP's I see usually don't have excessive
saliva but slowed swallowing and a slightly stooped posture which means
gravity plays a part in drooling.
One idea that has helped several people I have cared for is to wear a sweat
band on the wrist to use rather than a handkerchief [looks more trendy too
;-)].  The action of lifting the hand to wipe the saliva becomes in time a
"prompt" for the person to swallow and thus alleviates a lot of the problem.
Mary

----- Original Message -----
From: Gil Lieberman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, 13 April 2000 19:21
Subject: Re: excessive saliva/drooling


> Dear Dr. van der Linden,
> Thanks very much for posting your info
> on Botox injection for halting excess
> drooling.Would you please explain the mechanism which results in stopping
> excessive drooling in a PWP?Also,how does
> this affect the swallowing and digestive processes.I have read that the
> excessive drooling is attributable to poor swallowing.Does a PWP produce
> more saliva than a normal person?
>
> Last week,we tried a Scopoderm patch as a means of curbing the excessive
> drooling.
> It was a disaster.Aliza started to hallucinate,her balance deteriorated,
> and she became very fatigued.I would be interested if other PWPs have had
> similar experiences with this anti-cholinergic
> patch.
> I have consulted with Aliza's neurologist
> Dr. Tanya Gurevich of Movement Disorders Section the Tel Aviv Medical
Center
> re the Botox injection.They know about the procedure,but have no specific
> experience with it.
> Thanks for your help.
> Gil Lieberman,CG for Aliza,dx 2/95
> -----------
> Date:    Sat, 8 Apr 2000 07:20:03 -0400
> From:    Chris van der Linden <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: excessive saliva/drooling
>
> Regarding excessive saliva frequently seen in patients with Parkinson's
> disease, there is now a simple treatment for this problem.  Infiltration
> using a small needle with botulinum toxin (Botox) into the parotid gland
on
> both sides almost eliminates the excessive drooling.  So far I have
treated
> three patients with this problem and two did not have  drooling anymore
and
> one had great improvement.
>
> It is reversible and injections need to be carried out around three to
four
> times a year.  It is not painful and no side effects.
> It saves a lot of money on the excessive laundry of shirts and ties.
>
> Greetings,
>
> Dr. Chris van der Linden
> Movement Disorder Center
> St. Lucas Hospital Ghent
> Ghent
> BELGIUM
>