 |
 |
The following is taken from my medical log which I have been keeping since 1986. 2 JUN 95 I no longer seem to have time to make entries in this log. Lots of physical symptoms have been manifest in the last 2 months. I am still experiencing stiffness and mild discomfort in my lower back probably caused by awkward nature of my walking. This morning I experienced a swelling in the three middle fingers of both hands that went away after an hour. See 19 Feb 95 for a similar report. "My left thumb began to swell like a balloon. It felt like it might pop." 11 Jun 95 Sunday I began an experiment with Elavil 10mg little blue three cornered tablets. I will be taking one a day at night before sleep. Let's see if I can feel a little less depressed. 17 Jun 95 Saturday I have experienced a reaction that may be from taking the Elavil daily for the last week. I have a rash on my upper back shoulders and on my chest. The rash is on my fingers, toes and neck up into my hairline. I have had a metalic taste in my mouth for the last few days. <like chewing on some aluminum foil> I'll make an appointment to see about it. I have stopped the Elavil for now. My perception of my Parkinsonism is that it has become more disabling. My walk is very uneven and clumsy. The restless leg syndrome is more pronounced in the mornings. The bradykensia (slowness of movement) is getting quite bad. I think that I have not been fully medicated over the last week and as a result my perception is that the Sinemet can hide symptoms and make you feel OK. I have been wanting to keep the level of dopa down to a minimum to avoid that awful feeling of the "Sqirmming Wormies" or dyskenesia. I am much less tolerent and impatient with my ladyfriend's symptoms and as a result I am trying to limit my time with her. I feel that my function with her has been a constant caregiver and rescuer when she can not walk. 18 Jun 95 Sunday The rash is driving me to scracht it. I bought some hydracortisone 1% at Longs's Drugstore and it helps stop the itching. I tried to make an appointment with my dermatologist for an early look at the rash, but got no where on the weekend.!! 19 Jun 95 Monday I called early this morning directly to the office of Dr. Abuabara / Dermalogist and got an urgent appointment for 10:10AM. He looked at all of the patches of rash, fingers, toes and upper chest. He gave me a prescription for Atarax 25mg four times per day. Diagnosis, probably a drug reaction. Sure enuf, I checked some sources to discover that ELAVIL is Amitriptyline which should not be taken together with ELDEPRYL which is Selegiline Hydrochloride. I know that some friend also take this drug combination with no bad reactions. So, what else can I say but be careful out there kids...