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Hello again!  My mother 80/15 stopped taking Zyprexa (she tapered off
it) because the doctor felt she probably doesn't need it for its
anti-psychotic purpose.  (Another doctor had started her on it six
months ago when she had a crisis surrounding a urinary infection).
She's been off of Zyprexa for three weeks and her mind is clear with no
hallucinations.

However, since we began lowering the Zyprexa and then stopped it, my
mother's PD symptoms have worsened:  painful tremors or muscle cramping
in back, legs, abdomen, increased rigidity in legs, and increased
tremors in arm and hand.  These problem periods occur for about one hour
before each Sinemet CR 50/200 dose and about one hour after.  All this
is causing anxiety and panic attacks.

By the way, she has had chronic back pain for years, and after she was
on Zyprexa a while, her back felt a lot better.

I just read today that Zyprexa has some anticholinergic action.  Then I
read that anticholinergic drugs may help reduce rigidity and tremor.  So
I wonder if that was why she felt better before.  Also, I wonder whether
Zyprexa had a sedative effect that made everything relax more for her.

I'm trying to understand what might be suitable for my mother so I can
discuss it with the doctor.  My mother refuses to see a neurologist
(long story), but her geriatric specialist, who does housecalls, will
consult with one as needed.  He also listens to and considers any and
all information or research abstracts my mother and I give him.

I know it is not simple and no two people are alike, but is it possible
that adding a low dose of an anticholinergic drug to her regime would
help?  If so, what drugs might be considered?  I've read that Benadryl
has an anticholinergic effect, but somewhere I read a caution about PWP
and Benadryl.  I've read there are drugs that are manufactured
specifically for their anticholinergic effect.

Or is it more logical to try a small dose of quick release Sinemet in
between her regular Sinemet CR doses?  This is her daily schedule:

Sinemet CR 50/200 at 8 am  2 pm  and 8 pm.
Dilantin 100 mg 2 x day
Tylenol 1000 mg 3 x day
Multivitamin 1 x day

Many thanks for any comments, ideas, experiences, hints!

Lynne
for Virginia 80/15