Dear Michel, Thank you for keeping us updated on Barbara's condition. I feel hopeful knowing that Connie was able to communicate with her and to assist her to eat something. I will hope that her physicians will be able to improve her drug regimen and that she will achieve stability. Please do take care of yourself. Here's a big cyberhug for you, and another for Barbara! (((((((((((((((((((((((O)))))))))))))))))))))))))) My very best, Kathrynne Michel Margosis wrote: > > I have been so wrung out about Barbara's condition, I failed to tell the > family and friends out there of the facts. As you know Barb was > diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about twelve years ago and by the > time symptoms appear, 80% of the neurons are gone. Therapy currently > consists of replacing the dopamine neurotransmitter that the body no > longer > produces together with several other chemical; aids. But as the disease > progresses, the therapy requires larger and more frequent doses for > replacement so that Barbara can function at all. A major problem with > this therapy is that three of principal drugs may produce side effects > like hallucinations, psychosis, and paranoia allegedly with about 30% of > the people with Parkinson, and Barbara is one of them. > > After a restless night of very loud nightmares, I found Barbara semi > conscious on the floor by the bed, and I was unable to give her the pill > she normally takes upon arising. I called the psychiatrist, Greenspring > security and 911. She was taken to the hospital ER from where she was > admitted for dehydration, confusion, and psychosis. > > She is being given IV glucose, and trying to restore some kind of drug > regimen including an anti psychotic. She has been there for about ten > days and she has refused to eat. Yesterday, seemed like a lost week end > with no apparent moment of lucidity, and we were beginning to worry more > intensely; but today our friend Conne came to visit and during the six > or so hours she spent with Barbara, she was able to feed her and > somewhat exchange words. The medication is being titrated slowly, but > nobody is willing to provide a prognosis though it looks like she may > need some rehab in a nursing home for a short time, a matter of 2-3 > weeks to give her a chance to stabilize food intake and medication > under medical supervision. > I thought you should know. -- 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/