 |
 |
HI SUSAN, Welcome to the list. You present a complicated picture which best can be assessed by someone who has examined your dad and has seen how he reacts to what has been given in the past. But as a psychiatrist with PD I will give it a shot. My first question is whether your dad has had signs of depression and for how long. Janet has posted the Beck depression scale in the past few days and you might have him complete it and let me know the results. Depression in the elderly often is misdiagnosed as AD. I notice that he is using SJW so I presume somebody thought he was depressed. If he has PD then Mellaril especially in high doses is exactly the wrong thing to use since it is a dopamine blocker which exacerbates the PD symptoms. Rispiridol is also likely to do this but not as predictably. If his problem was caused by depression it is unlikely to help. Another cause of confusion and AD-like symptoms are medications both prescribed and self-prescribed. What was he taking at the onset of his confusion and what since then? When he started the drugs did he get better or worse? If he is delusional and/or hallucinating after he is evaluated for depression and excess meds are evaluated and withdrawn there are other medications which can be useful but they are somewhat difficult to use and have some risk. I would for now suggest withdrawal of aLL NON PRESCRIBED meds especially the acetylcholine. If there are signs of significant depression discuss this with his doctor and be sure that he is treated for it. If you wish keep me informed either on the list or direct email. Good luck Charlie Susan Bennett set PARKINSN REPRO wrote: > > Hello! > This is a long post- I apologize- and in the future I will not be so wordy! > I felt it important to give you an idea of our situation. > I just found this list today. My father ( age 72-73 in December) has been > ill for many years, and yesterday we went to a neurologist and he believes > that my father is suffering from Parkinson's. > It has been a nightmare rollercoaster for the last year and a half. His > original diagnosis was Alzheimer's. > He has had a tremor for most of his life, so when other symptoms began to > appear the doctors discounted PD. The only problem with the diagnosis of > AD was that his form of dementia has not jived with the typical memory > ailments associated with AD. His short term memory and ability to do > normal tasks has not declined , however, he does have some confused states. > He does suffer from "freezing" while walking. He has all the textbook > symptoms of PD-with the secondary symptoms of early dementia and depression. > We are extremely concerned with the medications because I have read about > the problems when a patient has both AD and Parkisonian symptoms. > My dad has had severe reactions to meds in the past. The reason we just > went to a neurologist is that we felt we needed a specialist to monitor > his illness. We have had many problems w/physicians that seem to write him > off after the AD diagnosis. He was heavily medicated on Mellaril and > Resperidal last year. He became incapacited in all respects while on the > meds. We left the care of the specialists and weaned him from the > medications. His "recovery" was remarkable. He still has the problems > that plagued him prior to his "treatment". He continues to see his regular > doctor and we are very happy with the respect and concern displayed by his > Neurologist. > He is taking Aricept- does this cause complications with PD? > He just started Selegiline. > Among the supplements he takes daily are: Acetylcholine, vitamin E, Gingko, > and St. John's Wort- as an antidepressant. > I appreciate any responses, ideas, advice and concerns or questions! > Please feel free to email me direct, if you wish! > [log in to unmask] > Thank you- > Susan -- CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. Middleton, WI [log in to unmask]