I am relatively new to this list, and felt compelled to
contribute after reading the question about breathing
problems possibly related to Sinemet.
I am a researcher in Speech Science/Speech Pathology, and my
dissertation dealt with breathing problems during speech in
people with Parkinson disease. (article published in the
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1993, volume 30, pp.
294-310) In my review of the literature, I came across some
information that may be helpful.
I will reprint one paragraph from my original dissertation
document here (p. 74) if you are interested. I will add
comments in brackets that may help explain technical terms.
"Several cases of people who developed respiratory
dysfunction as a result of levodopa therapy have been
reported. Weiner, Goetz, Nausieda, and Klawans (1978), De
Keyser & Vincken (1985), and Jankovic and Nour (1986), each
reported one case of a person with Parkinson disease who
devleoped dyspnea [breathlessness], tachypnea [rapid
breathing] or irregular breathing patterns, and other
negative respiratory symptoms after taking levodopa. The
respiratory dysfunction in these three cases were attributed
to respiratory dyskinesia [abnormal, involuntary movements].
The patients experienced concomitant limb and facial
dyskinesias, and responded well to alterations in drug
therapy. Weiner et al. and Jankovic and Nour reduced
levodopa doses for their patients, and De Keyser and Vincken
were able to eliminate the respiratory disturbance by
administering a dopamine agonist along with levodopa.
Zupnick, Brown, Miller, and Moros (1990) described two cases
of levodopa-induced respiratory dysfunction, both of which
exhibited dyskinesias and responded well to reductions in
levodopa doses. However, these authors argue against
respiratory dyskinesia as the cause."
References:
Weiner et al. (1978). Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 88,
pp. 327-331.
De Keyser & Vinken (1985). Neurology, vol. 35, pp. 235-237.
Jankovic & Nour (1986). Neurology, vol. 36, pp. 303-304.
Zupnick et al (1990). American Journal of Medicine, vol. 89,
pp. 109-114.
Hope this helps.
Nancy Pearl Solomon, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
