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Stan R. Houston wrote: > > ****************** > THE FECKLESS STAN MARCHES BACK FROM THE GREAT HUMOR/NON-PD WAR, SLIGHTLY > BLOODIED BUT A BETTER PERSON FOR THE EXPERIENCE. HE APPROACHES THE GROUP, > SALUTES AND PREPARES TO ASK (GASP!!!) A PARKINSON'S RELATED QUESTON. > > ****************** > > Everyone: > > (As Monty Python once said, "And now for something competely different.") > > I seek information from my fellow Parkies. > > During the past two weeks since my "retirement," my PD seems to have shifted > into fast forward. Actually, it's runnning at turbo speed. Major changes seem > to hit me overnight. Two and one-half Sinemet --- which would last me > approximately four hours --- suddenly dropped to two or two and one-half > hours. "Off" times are longer and more severe. End-of-med dyskinesia at > dinner time started about three weeks ago. To me (though my perception may be > clouded) it's worse every evening. I rented a wheelchair this week because > the period between end-of-meds and end-of-ability to walk dropped to > approximately one hour this week. (I could usually count on two to four.) > Right hand and arm very stiff and sore now during "off" periods. (Right side > has always been my problem.) Now, toes on left foot curl under and out (to > the left). I rarely have an appetite for anything except cheddar-flavored > Goldfish crackers and ice cream (I have something in common with M. Ali.) > > I realize that all of these problems happens to most of us Parkies > eventually. But, I ask, all at one time? And so suddenly? > > Maybe it's caused by the change in my routine, as Jeff suggested when I > commented about this last week. Or maybe I'm depressed, as Jack and Jeannette > offered. Or maybe it's a just a matter of getting my meds worked out, as > Marling said. Whatever it is, I hope the specialist I'm seeing next Tuesday > will come up with a plan to help me manage this better. > > My question to the group: Has anyone experienced anything like this? A horde > of symptoms suddenly appearing and/or advancing almost overnight? What did > you do about it? Did you and/or you doctor find a workable solution for > managing these problems? If not, what has happened in the meantime? > > Any information you could provide to me before my Tuesday, February 4, > appointment in Houston would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks. Stay well and try to laugh at least once a day. It's good for you. > > Stan Houston (53/5) > Cat Spring, Texas 79833 > [log in to unmask] Stan, I have experienced a similar series of events the past few months. My meds were not holding me as long and the dyskensia was getting more and more severe. I had a lot of trouble walking as my foot turned in so sharply and my toes curled under. I was depressed all the time and very tired. I take 11/2 Sinemet 25/100 in the AM followed by 1 Sinemet every 2 hours up until 4 PM/ I was on Elddepryl once a day until my neuro started changing my meds and trying new ones. First we tried Parlodel which made me like a Zoombie. Then Cogentin which also made me crazy. He finally took me off ELdepryl (he said that can sometimes cause the dysksenia to become worse) and ptu me on Sinequin 1 at bedtime. That is an antidepressant that also helps me sleep better. I am still not happy with the length of on time I have but the dyskenisia seems to be better and less intense. The one time it is really bad is dinner time, which makes eating no fun and then I', pretty much off for the rest of the night. THe longer I have this disease the more I relaize that it is going to be a constant roller coaster ride. I am hoping that one of the new drugs will help when they become available. Marty Rose 56 PD8yrs rosie@hayburn