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Laura, I can tell you this, my dad, who is 79, p6, has LOW blood pressure and Parkinson's and because of this he is limited on PD medications that tend to lower the blood pressure even more. the point I am making, is that your dad can probably get relief from his symtoms with a change in medication. I hope this gives you both some good cheer! [OO] LOOKING FOR RADIOS! Ken Becker [log in to unmask] On Sat, 13 Apr 1996, Laura Lewis wrote: > Dear friends, > > I have been a lurker/reader for several months now. I joined the list > to learn more about Parkinsons because my father, 70 yrs., was > diagnosed with PD last year. Your shared correspondence has taught me > a lot already and introduced me to a special group of people. In the > last 10 days my father has tried to cope with serious fatigue during > the day and insomnia at night. This is an abrupt change for him, so I > write eager to get any advice you can offer. > > Six months or so before he was diagnosed last year, my father had > trouble with his writing and noted a shuffle in his gait and some > rigidity in legs. (He has walked 2-3 miles every day since retirement.) > The neurologist said he was in the early stages of PD and started him > on Eldepryl, 5mg, twice daily. He takes it at breakfast and at lunch > or mid afternoon. This is his only PD medication and he has been on it > for a year. > > My father also has a 20-25 year history of high blood pressure problems > and heart arrhythmias. His cardiologist currently prescribes Hytrin, 5 > mg., and Nadolol (corguard (?) generic), 40 mg, both of which he takes > in the morning. > > When he begin Eldepryl last year, his neurologist wanted him to go off > the blood presssure meds, but the cardiologist wanted him on them > because of the arrhythmia. They conferred by telephone and the > cardiologist prevailed. > > In the last ten days my father has had a pronounced increase in extreme > tiredness and weakness during the day. He says both his body and his > mind are very lethargic. He can go to sleep or nap any time in the > day, but when he sits at his desk at home and forces himself to work > (IRS forms, etc.), he experiences inner tenseness and nervousness that > feels like a hypertension episode and he can't concentrate. Since he > experiences this as high blood pressure, he has taken numerous readings > and gets very low readings--for him at least--examples: 116/72 & > 109/64. His pulse rates are steady in 50-60's range. > > He says that his mind gets a little clearer from 6-8 pm when he feels > more awake and can concentrate on TV some, but then he can't get to > sleep 9-10 pm and is having consistent insomnia the rest of night. > Over the past year he has had a few days when he just couldn't get out > of bed and some sleepless nights but they have been occasional and not > a consistent thing. > > Daddy has an appointment with the neurologist on Tuesday, but I asked > his permission to send this description to you because we would like to > know more about possible reactions to the blood pressure meds he is > taking. What experiences/advice do you have for people with PD who > also have a history of hypertension and heart arrhythmias. Many thanks > for any insights you can share. > > Laura Lewis ([log in to unmask]) > 2505 Great Oaks Parkway > Austin, Texas 78756 > 512/459-5611 >