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Dear members, Dyskinesia is NOT the result of overmedication, but the result of supersensitivity of certain areas in the brain to levodopa (Sinemet, Madopar, Prolopa) due to the progression of the disease and the long-term use of levodopa. Stopping levodopa for a short period (while in the hospital!!) and restarting it may temporarely reduce the dyskinesias. With STN/DBS the same happens: dyskinesias. However, you can significantly cut back on your drugs, thereby reducing the dyskinesias. Thus STN/DBS indirectly improves dyskinesias. People with previous unilateral pallidotomies, may still be good candidates for STN/DBS treatment, but they should always have bilateral STN!!!!, just as all other PD patients. We have now performed bilateral STN in 10 patients, who had previous unilateral pallidum stimulation and have responded very well to this second surgery. The electrodes in the pallidum are still in place but not connected to the neuropacemaker. Greetings, Chris van der Linden, M.D. Movement Disorder Center St. Lucas Hospital Ghent BELGIUM ----- Original Message ----- From: Dick Swindler <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: maandag 17 juli 2000 22:14 Subject: Re: HELP! QUICK STOP TO DYSKENESIA > Jennifer - > > Dyskinesia is often a result of overmedication. Is your dad willing to try > cutting down his Sinemet just slightly to see what happens? I might add that > some people are highly sensitive to Sinemet and get dyskinesia or dystonia > from small amounts. STN would be the solution to the dyskinesia, whether > he's taking too much Sinemet (or Sinemet in combination with other meds) or > whether he's just very sensitive to it. He might want to discuss this with > his neuro. > > A friend of mine wrote recently that her husband had started having severe > dyskinesia. I recommended lowering the dose of Sinemet, and the dyskinesia > "magically" went away. On the few occasions he feels he need a bit more > dopamine, he takes an additional half a Sinemet. (Their neuro had cautioned > them that the Sinemet might need to be lowered after he titrated up on > Requip, but they'd forgotten that until I mentioned it.) > > Margie Swindler > > << > Along the same lines, my dad has terrible dyskenesias from waking to sleep. > What can be done? This a.m. on the way to work we stopped for gas and the > whole car was shaking. BTW, we all carpool into DC together. My dad > mentioned that when he goes to the local PD support group that he seems to > always be the only one in the room doing a dance. This statement made me > think that this was not normal. WDYT? Would the DBS STN help with this? He > has already had a unilateral pallidotomy. > > Thanks for your replies. > > Jen, Dad is PWP 55/39 > > >> >