Dear Nancy,
Your symptoms should be addressed promptly by your physician; there are
many possible causes, including orthostatic hypotension, low blood sugar
and dehydration, or any combination of these and other conditions. The
Sinemet package insert states that a few people may experience abnormal
blood glucose, either elevated or lowered, so that could be a
consideration. I encourage you to ask your physician for a referral to a
registered dietitian, preferably one who is experienced in PD, to help
you deal with these concerns.
My very best regards,
Kathrynne
Nancy Spires wrote:
>
> i'm feeling faint. during night i wake up (needing to void), perspiring,
> weak, afraid i will pass out. i remove nightwear (w/assist), request
> washdown w/wet cloth, ask for juice. take a sinemet and pray i don't fall
> off "throne".
> i'm not sure if it is need of sinemet, sugar, low bp.
> i think it occurs more often when i increase sinemet. i'm now up to 8
> /day--25/100 reg. i'm trying to use more salt.
> neuro does find big drop in bp upon standing. i've had lab work done; i
> suspect he will advise bp stabilizer. i would prefer not to add more
> meds. bp was border high before sinemet. now sitting = av/norm. also sugar
> was normal before sinemet. went through diabetes scare so dieted and have
> sugar under control (cut out soda and juice).
> any advice (i've tried eldepryl, meripex, comtan, amantadine--i seem to get
> weaker/worse....no strength, depressed, constipated--go to bed)
> diag 95, age 59 now. nancy spires.
--
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook
"Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease"
& Risk Assessment Tools
"Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease,"
J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999.
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
