Dennis G....
(Yawning) <grin> I'm not taking Mirapex yet 'cause it won't be on my HMO's
formulary for another coupla weeks, so that's not the cause of the daily
drowsiness. Also, since my pallidotomy, I really don't have on/off times in
the traditional sense (thank God!).
It sure can't hurt to have a thyroid test tho, and I'll make a point of
getting one and will report back to the List if that turns out to be the cause
of the problem.
My gut feeling tho, Dennis, is that this IS somehow PD related, and not
necessarily due to any of the PD drugs. I'm inclined to think it's part and
parcel of whatever's going on in our respective brains.
Barb Mallut
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From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Dennis Greene
Sent: Monday, August 18, 1997 6:48 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: Re: drowsiness/possible causes
Dear sleepyheads,
Reading the range of responses to this thread I suspect that
the causes of the episodes of drowsiness reported are in fact
very different. Possible causes are:
1. Those experiencing drowsiness since commencing
mirapex may be experiencing the drowsiness associated
with moving from 'off' to 'on'. In this case the desire
to sleep is triggered by the body relaxing in response
to the medication. This reaction has been discussed
on this list at some length. Perhaps those with a good
response to mirapex are truelly relaxing for the 1st time
in years. Chewing gum has been mentioned as a means
of staying awake.
2. Those experiencing drowsines at a specific time, especially
if it is in in the late afternoon should consider asking their
doctor for a thyroid test. For many years my wife would nod
of on the sofa at 4pm every afternoon. It was even dubbed
her '4 o'clock special'. Since commencing thyroxin some
years ago the problem has vanished.
3. Those experiencing drowsiness immediately after lunch may
need to take their PD meds 30 mins or so before eating.
Dennis.
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Dennis Greene 47/10
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http://members.networx.net.au/~dennisg/
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