Murphy's  law: this will only happen on weekends.

jjjane

>Jeff,
>You wrote:
>> Becky, not paying attention, just took twice her usual dosage of 50/200 CR
>> Sinemet.  Does anyone have any idea of the affect on one who does this?
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Jeff part time CG for Becky, 52/16
>>
>
>Jeff, on June 6th. '98 Margaret Tuchman took her entire day's Sinemet
>at one go and here is her posting the following day...........
>
>Margaret wrote:
>God, what a HIGH!!!  I don't know if it is the 750m mg of  regular
>Sinemet  or knowing that YOU CARING & WONDERFUL people are out there.
>WOW!!
>
>I am ok- spoke to the doctor, pharmacist and checked internet.  One
>does not need to worry below 1500 mg.  I am woozy, dizzy and a bit
>nauseous.
>
>My husband, Marty, prepared a plate full of PROTEiN and  for the 1st
>time in years, I ate protein during the day.
>
>The reason I took 7.5 pills (10/100s) all at once is because I'm
>taking liquid sinemet trying to titrate my dose carefully - looking
>for that magical balanced line between decreasing sinemet and
>increasing Tasmar.
>
>Love you ALL!!!
>
>Margaret
>
>Now Jeff, that said, you should still read this next post from
>Margaret & Gail Vass on the same subject:
>
>Dear List Friends,
>
>Again, I want to thank everyone who responded to my urgent call for
>help on Saturday when I mistakenly took 750 mg of regular Sinemet.  I
>do have a reasonable (somewhat) explanation of how "it" happened,
>though I did enjoy reading some of the less serious comments
>questioning my basic math skills.
>
>I dissolve my daily dose of Sinemet into 1000 ml orange juice or Tang
>and take 100 ml of the mixture every 2 hours.  Since Marty was home,
>he took over the job of mixing and apportioning the mixture into 10
>bottles.  I did not know
>
>that he had not finished the process and when I went to take my
>drink, I mistakenly gulped down the undiluted mixture.  When he
>realized what I had done, he screamed a lot but also fixed me peanut
>butter sandwiches and milk. I called my doctor - away on vacation,
>and spoke with a neuro-resident on duty.  After explaining to him the
>theory behind liquid Sinemet, he thought I should have my stomach
>pumped.  He asked if I have a history of cardiac, blood pressure,  or
>liver problems.  I don't!  He also said that  I will probably
>experience  dyskinesias and nausea. Since he could not proscribe
>medication, he suggested I call my GP and get Compazine for nausea.
>
>The pharmacist told me that taking1500 mg of Sinemet would be cause
>for real concern.
>
>Observations and Questions:
>1/  It is nice to be able to eat protein during the day and it is
>wonderful not to have to take medication every two hours.
>2/  I had NO dyskinesias, until 7 hours after taking the meds, when I
>had minor end-of-dose dk. just before I started to tremor and I knew
>I needed more Sinemet. How come?
>3/  I felt good, I had energy  - I was high!  I was able to work,
>shop, garden.
>4/ I am told that I was "not my usual self" (?) - my speech was
>slurred, I was slow in my thinking.  This is opposite to what I
>felt.  I suppose that the feeling of euphoria is quite common when
>taking cocaine, or other stimulants?
>5/  if the half life of regular Sinemet is approx. 2 hours, how come
>I had a 7 hour free ride? Is the therapeutic effect cumulative?
>6/  since 750 mg lasted 7 hours, does that mean that I really need
>100 mg per hour and basically I am always under medicated?  Hello,
>Brian???
>7/  what role does Tasmar play in this equation?  I've been
>taking 300mg per day and had cut my Sinemet from 1100 to 750.  But,
>the last week I was not holding  the "ON" for the two hours. I was
>given the advice that perhaps cutting the Tasmar in half would extend
>the ON.  I really had no chance to give this alternative a proper
>trial yet.  Another complication has arisen, I am having the "Tasmar
>Runs" and from what I understand, once that side effect  happens,
>there are only two alternatives, cut back on the Tasmar or stop
>taking it.
>8/  While I felt really fine the day of the OD, I was a rag the day
>after and even most of the day today.  I am tired and slow moving,
>though I get plenty of rest in the bathroom/WC/loo.
>
>So, dear comrades  - take my experience and see what we can learn.
>
>A  health professional, List member, caring friend wrote the
>following:
>
>Date: Sat, 06 Jun 1998 20:13:25 -0400
>From: Gail Vass <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Margaret <[log in to unmask]>
>
>Margaret,
>
>I'm on the Digest form of the PD list so I just received your URGENT
>message...I did get to see your call for help, others responses and
>your note getting back to the group saying what action you had taken.
>
>I must admit as a nurse I had some concerns about you posting such a
>note althought I certainly understand why you utilized this resource.
>I hope you don't take this as criticism of you or of what you did in
>posting it to the list but I thought that this would be an opportunity
>to discuss emergencies and this list.
>
>Something along the line of:
>
>Subject:
>        When you have a potential overdose
>
>Always call your Doctor..
>Always call your Pharmacist
>Always call the Poison Control Center
>Call 911 when you think you may have an emergency.
>Always remember your local Emergency Room.
>
>When you have a potential overdose, chest pain, or a bad fall seek
>emergency medical treatment. This list should never be relied on for
>emergencies. You may not be conscious to read the replies and waiting
>for replies could cause a serious delay in treatment.. And even the
>most well intentioned replies may not be medically sound advise. Some
>delays in treatment can have serious consequences.
>
>Some poisons SHOULD NOT be vomited back up. Some sudden sharp pain may
>be the only warning you get. Some replies may be incorrect.
>
>I'm just looking at this as an opportunity to remind and caution
>people...what are your thoughts?
>
>A big hug,
>
>Gail
>
>
>
>[log in to unmask]
>DOB: 1941/Dx: 1980/Cured:ASAP
>Slogans wont do it/Hard work will
>
>
>So Jeff, do not panic.  Take Gail's advice please and once again, do
>the following..........
>        When you have a potential overdose
>
>Always call your Doctor..
>Always call your Pharmacist
>Always call the Poison Control Center
>Call 911 when you think you may have an emergency.
>Always remember your local Emergency Room.
>
>I wish you and Becky all the best.........Murray 53/4
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