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Donna,

I empathize with your dad.  Since he's not feeling good and is depressed, he
has little to lose by trying a different antidepressant.  One that several
members of this group have had success with would be a reasonable candidate.
I know med changes can be a hard sell to a parent who's feeling bad and is
depressed, but the only alternative is to stick with his current meds and he
knows they aren't working.  (Pretty complex logic, huh?)

I  notice he's taking Serzone.  Does he tolerate it well?  Has he tried
other antidepressants?

I tolerate PD meds well (Sinemet, Eldepryl, Mirapex) but find big
differences in my reaction to various antidepressants.  Some enhance
Sinemet's effectiveness; some interfere with it (for me anyway).  I've had
the best luck with Zoloft and Wellbutrin; the worst with Serzone (a very
uncomfortable experience).  Zoloft seems to be generally well tolerated by
many PWP's.  Even if he's tried several with no positive results, as
important as antidepressants can be to his general well-being, I think he
should keep trying (and you should keep pressing him) to find the right one.
You'll know it when he does.

 I suggest you consider consulting a psychiatrist in your dad's search for
the right antidepressant.  I've found them to be much more knowledgeable
about antidepressants than neurologists.  After all,  it's their specialty.
You'll notice that almost all docs will prescribe antidepressants--I've
known ob/gyn's, internists, geriatricians and primary care physicians (and,
I suspect, others whom I've forgotten) who regularly prescribe them.  I
believe there are a number of reasons for that, not the least of which is
that the newer psychotropics are effective and relatively free of major side
effects.  That makes them easy to prescribe but it doesn't mean the
prescribing physician is expert in their use.  I've read our List members
insist many times that movement disorder specialists are the right choice
for PWP's.  I feel the same way about psychiatrists for those of us who need
help with depression.  For my money, I'll stick with the specialist.


Bob Bowling   51/9
Overland Park, KS
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-----Portions of Original Message-----
Date:    Fri, 6 Mar 1998
From:    "Donna A. Bassolino" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Requip ?


Anyway - anyone on Requip ? What dose ? My dad recently switched from
Mirapex to ReQuip. This is his third week @ 3 25mg pills 3x a day......But
he still isn't feeling well - nausea depression/confusion - leg
pain......But its been a year now since his DG - and I hate to say it but
he's had maybe one good day ! He can't keep exisiting at this level (or lack
of) quality of life.

ANybody have good experiences - advice ? We'll try anything.

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