Print

Print


When your neurologist added COMTAN, did he adjust the Sinemet downward?  (I
assume your husband is taking SInemet, since COMTAN does not work without
levodopa)

Since COMTAN slows down the metabolism and breakdown of levodopa and
dopamine, some of its side effects are not direct side effects but are due
indirectly to the increase in the effective levels of levodopa.

The hallucinations with COMTAN may be reduced or abolished by readjusting
the Sinemet dosage downward, or by adding Seroquel, or a combination of
both.  Careful titration is the clue.

Jorge Romero
Dallas


----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Rogers" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2000 8:05 PM
Subject: COMTAN AND SEROQUEL


> I'm Laura, CG for my husband of 43 years, Les Rogers, diagnosed with
> Parkinsons
> in 1995.  May I ask those who use Comtan, if you were advised that the
> drug would
> cause severe hallucinations?  My husband could not sleep because of
> seeing people
> in his closet, in the window; seeing bugs.  He would get down in the
> floor in the corner
> of his room, and I couldn't get him up.  When I reported this to our
> neurologist, he
> then prescribed seroquel.  What I would like to know is:  If it is
> generally a given
> that Comtan will cause hallucinations this bad, why couldn't the doctor
> have started
> seroquel at the same time, or maybe sooner to give it a chance to start
> working
> before he added the Comtan?  Do the hallucinations ever stop after one
> has taken
> Comtan for a long period of time?  If not, what is the point?  I am
> almost really angry
> over this whole episode, and feel that as an intelligent CG, should have
> been given
> more warning.  If I am on the wrong track, please give me some advice.
> At this
> point, I couldn't stand it any longer for both of us and took him off
> the Comtan
> 2 days ago while still giving him Seroquel. We both slept all day today
> from the
> exhaustion of trying to take care of the results of the hallucinations.
> I am going
> to get a second opinion if we are accepted at Presbyterian Hospital in
> Dallas.
> I just think there must be a better way.   I am 64 years old and work at
> an
> Airline which has been more than supportive.  I need to work, and I am
> using
> up all my FMLA.  Anyway, now I am rambling.  If anyone can tell me if
> they
> have had a similar experience, I would really appreciate your reply.
>               I appreciate all of you so much.  You have been a Godsend
> to me.
> I have learned many things which helps make his days better.
>                              Laura Rogers
>