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Thank you, Larry ----- Original Message ----- From: "patandpaula" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 5:30 PM Subject: Re: searching for Answers > Larry, my mother was diagnosed just a few months ago, but has had symptoms > for over two years, we were just in denial. She has no tremors, but has > other symptoms, like balance problems, excess saliva, frozen features. she > is taking 1 1/2 pills three times a day (carbidota/ledopa) and he wanted her > to go higher, but we have stayed the same because of all the stuff weve read > about how the meds eventually "max" out and bad side effects. we have > another appt end of april. her symptoms have definitely improved but > still not really "normal" but we are thankful for the improvement. we are > still going to have an MRI done end of month just to be sure there is > nothing else going on. she is 75. We are also in the Dallas area, we are > going to the Southwestern Medical School doctors at the Neurology Center. > anyway, i am sorry for what your brother and you are going through, it is > very kind of you to be so concerned, there are a lot of brothers who wouldnt > worry so much. paula ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Larry Wilson" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 10:04 PM > Subject: searching for Answers > > > > This is the brother to the PD patient speaking: > > > > I appreciate all the material I have been reading....a little knowledge > > makes a person "dangerous". But I am still searching for information...to > > become better informed. Thanks again. > > > > Again, my brother has PD in Dallas, Tex. I am in Georgia. I have > developed > > some good ideas on what to do within the next several weeks, again, thanks > > to several comments sent to me. Thank you. > > > > But, I would like to re-visit the medications again. > > > > Brother: Developed PD symptoms some 8 years ago. Diagnosed PD about 5 > > years ago. Had the shuffle (fell many times before being diagnosed). > > Speech gradually decreased to none at all. Had the tremors begin > gradually > > (8 years ago)....finally could not drink without spilling it....before he > > was put on medication. Had swallowing problems some 6 years ago.....could > > not seem to swallow and the food would accumulate in his mouth until he > > looked like he was "gorging" his food. He would cough violently at times > > after getting choked. Finally, recently, he got pneumonia (aspiration) > and > > did a barium swallow and it was determined he was swallowing into his > > lungs...and could not detect it was going down the wrong way. Doctors put > > in a stomach tube for his feeding and medications. He can not walk > without > > assistance. He uses the wheelchair to some degree. He can read some and > > comprehend...to some degree (I don't know how much), but from what I have > > seen he understands what one is saying. His vision needs to be checked > > (wears glasses) but cannot put them (glasses) on by himself. > > > > That is the picture of John. > > He takes 25/100 3 times a day of Simnemet. > > He takes Parlodel 5 mg 3 times a day (this was upgraded in December, > 2001). > > I would guess he takes the parlodel, the Simnemet, and his blood pressure > > pills at the same time....he is in a nursing home. > > > > Question: From the symptoms as described above would it "appear" that the > > medications are sufficient? > > > > I have already had some good responses that gave me some insight into > > medications...I already know that medications are prescribed by the > Doctor > > upon observation and treatment of the patient. I already know that taking > > PD medications is timely. I already know the patient reacts differently > to > > different medications and different amounts. I have learned a lot from > your > > comments. I wish I had been this informed some 8 years ago. > > > > But, in general, would it appear the medications John is receiving is > > adequate? > > > > To show you how much I knew (and ignorant) I was asking John's wife to > take > > him off the medication entirely to see what would happen....(thinking it > > could not be worst than where he already is). My reasoning was that his > > mother had PD and his aunt and his grandmother. They never took > medications > > for PD. But then, they never progressed to the degree he has progressed. > > (They were never medically diagnosed - they just said they had PD....and > it > > appeared they did, however it did not disable them). Now, I am of the > > opinion he needs more medication, now less. > > > > Your opinion on the medications? > > > > Thank you, > > > > Larry > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn