 |
 |
You wrote: > >Dear members, >My mother in laws condition is worsening. My wifes long time experiment >with alternative medication has not produced any positive effects. My wife, > who is basically the caregiver even though my father in law physically >takes care of her, is toying with the idea of starting her on L-dopa as >early as this week, but she has many reservations. My wife is afraid of >what the side effects will do to her frail mother. The tremors are very >pronounced, she cannot walk without the aid of a walker, She has no bladder > control and worst of all she feels like a terrible burden to us all. > >My wife's reasoning is that she can live another 20 years (she is 70) >without suffering sides. But I say what kind of life is this? Should she >go for a lesser amount albeit a quality amount of years. And will L-dopa >actually help her? If anyone has any ideas or answers we would be >grateful. >One other question. How fast can she see improvement in her condition >after we start her on the L-dopa? > >Thank you all. >Danny Gewirtz >Ma'aleh Adumim >Israel >([log in to unmask]) > Danny, It's time to get her on medication! If she responds (and the odds are that she will), it will be apparent in just a few days. About 8 years ago, I started my father-in-law (he was 83 at the time) on Sinemet and he was better inside 48 hours, with major improvement in 2-3 days. He is now becoming resistant (age 92) and is showing signs of deterioration, but neither he nor I are sorry that the L-DOPA was started (he is a retired physician). Get the medicine started! Best, Bob -- ******************************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S. Phone: 510-849-2555 Neurological Surgery FAX: 510-849-2557 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] World Wide Web: <http://www.phoenix.net/~medical/fink.html> CompuServe: 72303,3442 America Online: BobFink "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************************