Hmmm, remember my recent posting regarding organophosphate pesticides and how
the pill can contribute to susceptibility of one to the chemical's adverse
effects?  NOW HEAR THIS - I have some more, possibly pertinent info.  I found
a web site that listed the interactions of other drugs with the pill.  (sorry
guys, but ya gotta put up with this or just pass it over -  that is any guys
but M.D.s, cuz I want them to read this):
 
When taking both the pill and "Benzodiazepine Tranquilizers (Ativan, Librium,
Serax, Tranxene, Valium, Xanax, and others (???)), there is possible
increased or decreased tranquilizer  effects including psychomotor impairment
-- Use with caution.  Greatest impairment during menstrual pause in oral
contraceptive dosage."
 
***********  Hmm, most of us women also experience a worsening of symptoms
just prior  to this time, i.e., during pms season - double whammy!   Have
many of the pd women have ever taken both the pill and a tranquilizer?
 
Also, the pill in combo with  "barbituates (phenobarbital and others) can
result in decreased contraceptive effect -- Avoid simultaneous use; use
alternative contraceptive for epileptics."
 
*********** Again I pose the same, almost, question.
 
And the pill with "antidepressants (Elavil, Norpramin, Tofranil, and others)
can result in increased antidepressant effect -- Monitor antidepressant
concentration."
 
***** Considering my personal experience with the compazine (primarily an
antidepressant/antipsychotic, altho' commonly used, as in my case, to fight
nausea), which the drug book clearly states can  cause pd-like symptoms which
can recur (indefinitely), EVEN AFTER ONE DOSE -  Could being on either
progesterone/estrogen (which is what was supposed to have, but didn't
ironically enough, make me nauseaous) at the same time possibly increase also
this particular antidepressant "side" effect?  Also, if  symptoms can recur
indefinitely, could going on the pill  years later (maybe 5 or so) have
triggered another interaction with any remaining compazine effects,
particularly the pd-like ones which were quite severe for me.  And since
during the original episode I had taken maybe 2-3 dosages of the compazine at
least, before realizing that my problem was the compazine and not the
hormone, could that add to the likelihood of some trace side effects
lingering and for a longer indefinite period?  During this mess, while trying
to comprehend what was happening, I had discontinued the hormone before I did
the compazine, believing at first that it was the cause of my "seizure" since
it was supposed to have caused nausea and I figured it could perhaps be
causing instead this other effect. Silly 19-year old girl!
 
I welcome any responses from other pd-afflicted women, either publicly in
this open forum, or privately.  I plan to show all this data (just what I've
posted to the list here for everyone - don't worry - nothing private!) to the
staff at Graduat Hosp. in Phila., PA where I go, since as I mentioned once
long ago, a grad student there had been doing a study by
questionaiire/interview with pd women trying assess the impacts of pd to
their sexual/reproductive lives, and primarily related to the changing of
symptoms and their severity thoughtout the course of one's monthly cycle.
 
Could any doctors listening in come up with some theories/speculation/actual
studies??  Or perhaps could we get input from someone with a background in
pharmacology.  (speaking of which - does anyone know what the antidote would
be that someone adversely affected by compazine like  I was, would be given?
 Would it possibly be Sinemet?  When they gave me whatever it was, my problem
disappeared quickly (or  so it seemed at the time until around 5-7 years
later with onset of pd)).
 
I appreciate all comments & thoughts to be received, and hope that perhaps
eventually, with enough info overload, maybe someone will take the "bite" and
see how either wacky or valid some of my propositions are in the end.  It
seems to me that in restrospect - some initially thought to be the biggest
stretches of logic often prove relevant upon further investigation.  The
scientific process is not always a linear, logical one, like some would like
to believe.  Some initial hypotheses derive their origins from intuition and
human experience, but are later valided by detailed theories and
experimentation.  My role, I believe, is to serve as a catalyst for new ideas
& hypotheses (sometimes these only come when one opens ones' mind to other
ideas and other ways of thinking, which I believe my background and my
personal experience with pd allows me to do - at least in contrast to the
typical researcher who likely does not have the same personal relationship
with the disease).  I do not have the background to carry my ruminations
beyound the point of ruminations, but I am good at getting people from
various areas/points of view speaking and sharing data which affects
everyone, as this is what I do as a systems engineer every day.  A change in
output power of a box has implications across the board, to the thermal
designers who must then dissipate the extra heat, or supply additional heat
where it's lacking, to the designers of other boxes, who may in turn have to
shield their boxes from the former one who is now emitting more electrical
interference, or reduce their power in order to meet an overall power budget
for the entire combined system, etc.  Also, as a system engineer I can't help
but  look at the big picture (some also call this approach in other very
different circles - "holistic') and that is why I keep focussing on
alternative therapies/prevention/causes, not because I am against
conventional medicine, not in the least, but because I know from experience
the only way to understand the workings of the system, is to understand ALL
of its many facets and I personally see a dearth of info/research/etc. into
these other areas and that limits us to viewing only a small part of the
whole picture ( say, an electrical short due to cracked insulation) and
prolonging any progress toward a real cure (better insulation in the first
place, or possibly protecting the wire from bends and kinks (or even from
radiation which causes brittlesness) which could cause cracks and thus
shorts), and not just a quick fix (electrical tape) which doesn't preclude
more cracks from occurring elsewhere or even the tape coming off).  The
analogy may be geeky, but hey, I think it's appropriate.
 
Well, enough again for now!
Wendy T.