^^^^^^GREETINGS FROM^^^^^^^^^^
Ivan Suzman 47/10 [log in to unmask]
Portland, Maine land of lighthouses deg. F
***********************************************************
Hi Betty,
I'm sorry that it is so difficult for you right now.
Reading your post, I feel that perhaps tfour observations may be of help
to you and your husband.
1. He may not be taking the carbidopa (I'm assuming it's combined
generic carbidopa-levodopa, or it's Sinemet) reguarly, because he has
not come to accept that he can live as well as possible. He may also not
understand the discipline necessary to keep a relatively constant flow of
dopamine in his bloodstream.
Or, he dislikes what the medicine does to him.
Although I am in my 10th year and am wondering somewhat uneasily
about neurosurgery, I still try to live as well and as actively as I can.
This takes MAJOR work on my attitude, and it certainly falters at times.
It takes a COMMITMENT from anyone with Parkinson's to take medicine(s)
as scheduled, without letting them go at all..
2. His angry behavior may be a function,at least in part, of his blood
sugar level. I have seen this in a family member with diabetes, who
becomes somewhat aggressive when his sugar is too low.
The reason I mention this is that a lot of us PWP's have discovered
that we need sweets, or fruit juices, to restore ourselves to "normal".
Parkinson's drains us of our energy.
Your mentioning that once he takes his carbidopa, he sleeps,
suggests that maybe he is exhausted, and might need evaluation of his
diet if that will help keep him more energetic.
3. I would encourage you to talk to him if you can, directly, about
your being uncomfortable with his behavior. Hopefully you will be able
to find a moment when he is behaving more positively and is comfortable
enough to listen and respond positively.
4. If his medication puts him to sleep, it may be too much in each
dose.. Or, you may need to see a movement-disorders specialist about
combining his medication with an agonist like Mirapex, Permax or
Parlodel.
It might be clearer to us how we can help if you post his medication
schedule to us. We would have more to go on.
I hope this finds you feeling better, and offers some encouragement.
Sincerely,
Ivan 47/10
On Thu, 25 Sep 1997 22:00:41 -0400 John and Betty Oxley <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>Is there someone out there who can give me some advice, please.
>
>When my husband forgets or chooses not to take his Carbidopa, he
>becomes
>extremely paranoid and angry with me. He accuses me of saying things
>or
>doing things that I just haven't said or done. He becomes very mean
>and
>downright nasty. There is just no way to reason with him or to try to
>explain that I simply haven't done what he thinks I have. Then he
>finally
>takes his medicine, goes to sleep, and can't understand why I'm upset
>the
>next day. Is this a part of Parkinson's Disease? I know he must be
>terribly depressed and angry by what is happening to him, but it seems
>that
>his anger is always directed at me. It's almost as though he blames
>me for
>what has happened to him. Is this all part of what we have to deal
>with
>now?/
>
>[log in to unmask]
>
