At 05:10 PM 6/10/97 -0400, you wrote:
>>From a friend in England (on another list) whose mother has PD came
>these inquiries, which she asked me to post for her. Any comments may
>be sent to me for forwarding.
>
>On Sun, 8 Jun 1997 23:28:29 +0100 she said:
>>Dear Friend Camilla
>>I hope that you won't mind me mailing to you privately rather than
>>through QW-L. Please may I pick your brain over a problem I have with
>>my mother.
>>As you know, she has Parkinson's. As yet her symptoms are mild; she
>>takes L-dopa ( Madopar(?) 5 tablets a day I think). Some time ago she
>>agreed to take part in a trial of a drug which is taken in conjunction
>>with the L-dopa to mitigate its side effects. As usual, it is a
>>double-blind trial so we don't know whether she is on drug or placebo.
>>She also has arthritis (long-standing) for which she takes something
>>else - I can't remember what.
>>Anyway, this evening she told me that she has had an upset stomach for
>>a week (no vomiting, just loose stools). The research nurse has been in
>>close touch by phone, and has suggested imodium; my mother is now off
>>everything else except the L-dopa itself. Today she was a little better
>>though it is still less than 24 hours since the last attack. She will
>>see her doctor tomorrow.
>>Please, do you know if an upset stomach is either a recognised effect
>>of Parkinson's or a side effect of the L-dopa? I know I shall have to
>>wait for a proper medical diagnosis, but you are the only person I know
>>who might have an idea about all this. I'm sorry I don't know the names
>>of the other drugs. My mother -has- had an earlier stomach attack
>>(before the trial); we don't think either was due to infection, though
>>of course that's the obvious first suspect. Are PD people more
>>susceptible to infections anyway?
>>I am truly sorry to bother you - do just tell me if there is nothing
>>to say...
>
>In a post today she adds that her mother has had a biopsy & colonoscopy,
>and the doctors "seem to be taking it seriously". She still didn't know the
>names of meds for PD and arthritis that mother takes.  Any suggestions will
>be appreciated. She knows there is a British PD list but hasn't gotten on it.
>
>Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter, 78/7, Oxford,Ohio
>[log in to unmask]
>*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
>"Ask me about the CARE list for PD caregivers!"
>*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
>
camilla you most defenly can get a upset stomach l-dopa. i don't all the
time once in awhile. loose stoole i have badly. arthritis, pus sugar. so
tell her not to worry listen to her present doc. for a while if propen keep
up look for a new doc. I.Y.Q. don