hi vallerie and becky

i did some digging in the pd list archives
and found a few references to doxepin

it seems to me that becky's problems
might could be related to this anti-depressant
particularly if the doseage has been changed lately [?]
i have posted the full drug monograph on doxepin separately

remember that everyone responds to meds in their own unique way
and that i am not a medico, only a nosey parkie!

we have to be our own best advocates in dealing with our brain chemistry
we are the ones who know best how we feel

giving up that responsibility to medicos alone,
sadly, can be potentially dangerous

please keep us updated

janet


-------------------------------
Date:            12/07/95 09:54
From:             <Ted Nelson >
Subject:            Doxepin
-------------------------------

I have been lurking for about three months and I am very interested in the infomation here. I have had PK for about six years and I do not believe I am doing very well. I have developed a tremor in my left arm at XMAS and Am start- ing one in my left leg now.
It has been increasingly difficult to walk as my off period gets longer and longer.

I am being treated with Permax (.50mg 4 time s per day) Eldepryl (5 mg 2 / day) Sinemet 25/100 ( 2/day ) Sinemet CR 50/200 (2/day) and amantadine (100 mg 2/day).

Because of sleeping problems my Dr. has perscribed 150 mg of Doxepin per night. I have just read the 1988 Ed. of Worst Pills Best Pills. It has nothing but bad things to say about this drug.

I am looking for any feedback. Thanks

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-------------------------------
Date:            12/07/95 15:06
From:             <Robert Fink >
Subject:            Re: Doxepin
-------------------------------

Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant (trade name: Sinequan or Adapin) which is similar to Elavil, Tofranil, etc.  It is an excellent antidepressant with a moderately sedating side-effect (initially).  The sleep-inducing properties remain present for 2-3 weeks (and the antidepressant properties often take that long to "kick in"), so, after about this time, it will no longer help one to sleep unless the sleeplessness is due to depression.  Its other side-effects are similar to the rest of the tricyclic medicines; and, used for depression, is a good drug.  As a "sleeper", its value is usually temporary.  Hope this helps.

Best,

Bob

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-------------------------------
Date:            10/01/96 16:45
From:             <Ted Nelson >
Subject:            Help
-------------------------------

Dear Folks, I hope you can help me. I have been on this list for almost a year now.  I'm afraid I haven't contributed much but have learned a lot, both about Parkinsons and about compassion.

Meds: about ever 2 hours from 4am to 8pm Permax 0.25mg (ll per day). Sinimet 25/100 (1 4x a day).  Sinemet CR 50/200 (2 a day).  Eldepryl 2 per day.

DX: 6 years   Age: 62

I was doing fairly well until about 1 week ago.  I was told by my neuro that changes in Parkinsons came about gradually.  This has proved to be the case up until now.  About a week ago I swithched from 150mg of Doxepin for sleep to Ambien 10mg ( 1  1/2 tablets per night).  The reason I switched was with the Doxepin, I would find myself falling asleep reading the papers in the morning.  With the sleep medication I got a much better night's sleep but all kinds of complications.  I talked to my neuro yesterday  and he said the Ambien was a good med and was not the cause of my problem.  He suggested a slight adjustment in my med schedule, essentially the dropping of one Sinimet a day.  I'm not sure whether we were communicating on the phone but I don't feel the he understood the problem.

I have subsequently made an appointment to see him tomorrow.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM:  Two weeks ago I could walk fairly well unasssiated in the morning from 4am to noon.  In the afternoon, I could get around , drive the car, go shopping, or go out to eat, with the assistance of my cane. Up until last week I could do 3 miles on my stationary bike every morning.  Today, I could not use the bike, I could not move around except with great difficulty and using my cane.  I managed to take a shower, but could not stand up to shave.  It is now noon and I have taken 2 Sinimet and 1 CR, 5 Permax and 1 Eldepryl.  I am still not moving but I do not as yet have dyskinesis.   Yesterday at this time I had experimented with 3 1/2 Sinimet and 1 CR and 5 Permax and had experienced the worst case of dyskin- esia I ever had between 10am and 12;30pm.  In the last week, I have experienced a burning sensation behind my knees and in my calves in the afternoon.  This again is a new symptom.

I guess my point is I am much worse today than I was a week ago. If anybody has some ideas, I would appreciate your thoughts.

       Thanks,  Ted Nelson

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-------------------------------
Date:            11/01/96 15:30
From:             <Janet Paterson >
Subject:            Re: Help
-------------------------------

To Ted Nelson;

It seems to me that if your symptoms been relatively stable and then suddenly change, the primary consideration must be - what meds, living conditions, eating habits, etc. etc. have changed?

Since your sleep med was changed about a week ago, at the same time you noticed these problems starting up, the connection seems obvious to me. I'm not a doctor or scientist, but isn't this a case of observable cause and effect? A simple test would be to resume your previous med schedule to see if the new problems go away.

Please let us know what your neuro says tomorrow.

Best regards, Janet

"Science alone cannot explain the universe -
please bring whatever help you can to your local scientist"
     ..Ashleigh Brilliant

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-------------------------------
Date:            11/01/96 19:50
From:             <Ted Nelson >
Subject:            Re: Help
-------------------------------

Dear Janet,

Your advice was right on. Last night I went back to Doxipin and like Magic, all of my new problems went away. I saw my neuro at 11:00 A.M. He Said he was surprised by my reaction to Ambion, but switched me to another sleep med

Maybe this experience will help someone out there who is thinking abuot using this drug.

Janet, Thank you so much for your advice and concern.

                                Regards,
                                        Ted

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-------------------------------

janet paterson - 51 now /41 dx /37 onset - almonte/ontario/canada
http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/janet/index.htm
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