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A better way of writing this same paragraph would have been to use the term "parkinsonism" and not Parkinson's which tends to refer specfically to Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that mimic those seen in Parkinson's disease BUT FOR WHICH WE HAVE A SPECIFIC CAUSE. 1) Von Economos Encephalitis: the only form of encephalitis ever found to cause a parkinson-like syndrome to appear. Since VEE hasn't occurred since the late 1920s, most individuals with post-encephalitic parkinsonism are no longer alive. 2) Injury: Some long-time boxers can experience Pugilistica (punch-drunk syndrome) in which some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are seen such as slowed movement, soft speech, hand tremors. These individuals tend not to respond well to the known antiparkinson medications. 3) Medication: Yes, there are a number of pharmacologic agents that can cause Parkinson-like symptoms to appear as side effects. These can include antipsychotics such as Haldol and Thorazine; Seditives/antidepressants such as Limbitrol and Asendin; Gastroinestinal Remedies such as Reglan and Combid, etc. This is called drug-induced parkinsonism and is generally seen in long-term, high-dose levels. It is also generally "temporary" as once the offending drug is withdrawn and the drug weans itself out of the system, the "side effects" also tend to go away. And, yes, these drugs have all the appropriate warnings as is required by the FDA. It's up to the doctor to know the effects and side effects prior to prescribing any drug. However, if other medications for these same indications don't do the necessary job, sometimes patients have to have a "give-and-take" attitude. They may have to give up something in order to take (gain) from it. For example, if no other antispychotic sufficiently limits the patient's psychoses and Thorazine proves beneficial to the point where the patient can live and function on his own, the patient may rather deal with the side effects of a parkinsonism (which can be treated) rather than the original problems (the psychoses) that led to this prescription. Jeanne Lee-Rosner PDF-Chicago ----- Original Message ----- From: Jack Orrell <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2000 9:42 PM Subject: Can Medications Cause PD ? > In the March 12, 2000 Washington Times article by Karen Goldberg Goff she > writes, in part: > > ' Parkinson's also can occur as a result of illness, such as encephalitis > or other serious viruses, injury or some medications used to treat > psychiatric disorders and high blood pressure.' > > It's not clear whether Ms. Goff was quoting this from any single source or > authority. > > However, if we take this statement at face value, are we to believe that > medications we may have taken for these rather common disorders might have > contributed to our PD?--- and, if this is true, shouldn't these drugs be > 'red-flagged' as being dangerous? After all, PD is a pretty harsh 'side > effect'! > > Maybe we, the PIEN, have tossed this around before and perhaps it is > already documented--if so, I'd appreciate any feedback from people like > Janet Paterson, Joe Bruman, etc. > > By the way Ivan, did you notice that viruses are also mentioned? > > The purpose of this post is to try to get to the bottom of this statement > and is not meant, in any way, to demean an excellent, supportive, > well-written article. > > Jack Orrell 72/7/9 >