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Bent Willow wrote: > > > I don't know what to do. He is not safe alone, but wishes to remain > > independent. Apparently he has the resources to afford some domestic > > assistance, such as a part time companion, and I am willing to help with > his > > meds, but I wonder if this isn't just putting off the inevitable, and > also > > exposing him to great danger. I frankly don't think his hallucinations > are > > tied to the sinemet because he has them even when he is very off. But I'm > no > > expert on PD-related hallucinations and psychosis. > > Kathie Tollifson > > > If you have spoken with your friend's psychiatrist before, you may be able > to approach him concerning the need for your friend to have home health > care - at least a visiting nurse to over-see his case management. The > medical community has a responsibility to get involved in your friend's > case until there is some stabilization in his condition. I'm wondering how > familiar the attending psychiatrist is with PD and the side-effects of the > meds. I also wondering *why* the neurologist would have prescribed > Eldepryl late in the day - or was the the error of the pharmacist? > ------ > Mary Ann TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: The most likely sceenario here is that the Eldepryl was prescribed B.I.D. (twice a day) and the patient was never told to take it in the morning and at noon. Unfortunately this type of thing still happens despite the best efforts of Medicine & Pharmacy to prevent it. It is estimated in some studies that 25% of all hospital admissions are due to a direct (or indirect) drug reaction. I'm not saying that this is what happened here, but it is possible. It appears to me that there is a psychiatric problem present, that is not due to PD or or PD drugs, however that is also possible. I think he should have a thorough Psych evaluation in an inpatient setting. Sometimes insurance limitations cut this evaluation shorter than it should be, and this may be why he was discharged after only a short stay. I would suggest that the local Behavior Health Organization be contacted for advice and possible evaluation. Jerry Starr, RPh.