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On Tue 18 Feb, Donovan White wrote: > I hope it doesn't seem as though I'm asking the same questions over again. > My mother (67 years, diagnosed less than 2 weeks ago) is on Sinemet 25/100 > 3X/day. Her symptoms are: > > off balance > inability to use left hand > slowness > slow speech > some drooling > > When I ask her if the Sinemet is helping she says that it helps a little > bit with the balance. Her speak sounds the same to me (this is over the > phone) -- no difference. She still cannot use the hand and it takes a long > time to do things. > > What I'm wondering is this: > > Should she expect more from the medication?? I know I already asked this > (and received a few insightful responses), but I guess I'm wondering if the > failure of this dosage to produce a more dramatic difference indicates (i) > that the dosage could/should be higher (ii) that she should be on another > (or should add another) type of drug, or (iii) that Sinemet is not the best > drug for her symptoms. > > This leads me to my next question. What is the basis for prescribing one > drug type over another? Does it have to do with the severity of the > disease? The type of symptoms? The doctor's preference? > > Finally (at least for now), has anyone heard of Dr. Stuart Isaacson or Dr. > Yahr at Mt. Sinair in New York. A good friend of my mother recommeded > Isaacson and I was just wondering if anyone out here has gone to him. > > Thanks for all your help. I'm trying to prepare us as much as possible for > a consultation within the next few weeks. > > Debbie White > > > > > [log in to unmask] > > Hello Debbie, I learned a new trick today, so I will try it out on you: How does your mother take her tablets? Does she take them with food? That is, just before or just after a meal, or even during a meal? If any of those answers are Yes then you have a simple fix : Tell your mom to take her tablet at least 20 to 30 minutes BEFORE she starts her meal. This give the tablet a chance to get going, and IF I am correct, should solve all her problems. I will go into the other aspects of your mail later if you wish, but try the food trick first, just in case it is that simple. -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>