Dear Bonnie:
Thanks for the reply. I would like to have the name of a movement
disorder specialist, as well as someone within striking distance of midcoast
Maine who specializes in Parkinson's. We are about three hours drive from
Boston.
I tend to think that the dizziness is not blood pressure-related as it
doesn't matter whether my father is lying down, sitting or standing.
Needless to say when you're that dizzy, it tends to restrict your movements.
It would be good to take him to a doctor who might at least take an interest
in the problem.
Thanks again for your help.
Patti Brewer
-----Original Message-----
From: Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, August 06, 1998 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: dizziness
>Dear Patti:
>
>The dizziness that your father has experienced may or may not be due to the
>Parkinson's and the Parkinson's medication he is on. Often, when someone
>has a chronic illness such as Parkinson's, we tend to "blame" it for any
>ailment that pops up.
>
>Orthostatic hypotension (abrupt lowering of the blood pressure upon rising)
>can occur not only in Parkinson's and some Parkinson's related illnesses,
>but in other ailments as well. It is important to determine the cause of
>the dizziness, whether it is actually a lowering of the blood pressure that
>is causing it. Sometimes, bouts of dizziness are not blood pressure
>related at all.
>
>Arbitrarily increasing salt (sodium) intake, without knowing what baseline
>electrolyte levels are, can be dangerous. Sodium is an essential
>electrolyte...a chemical in our blood and in tissues that helps maintain
>balance and regulate the functions in our bodies. If there is another
>underlying disorder that is the cause of the dizziness, disrupting the
>electrolyte balance may be detrimental.
>
>You indicate that there is not a Parkinson's specialist within your state.
>Where do you live? Perhaps there is one closer than you think.
>If you'd like to have me try to locate a Movement Disorders Specialist
>close to you, let me know.
>
>In the menatime, until the cause of the dizziness is determined, advise
>him, especially when rising from a lying down position to make every effort
>to rise slowly. When he wants to get up, have him sit on the side of the
>bed and "dangle" his legs for about two minutes. When dangling (this is a
>real medical term!!) have him gently swing his feet and toes, and this
>should help a little. If at all possible, have someone standing by the
>side of the bed to render assistance, if necessary.
>
>Warm Regards,
>
>Bonnie Cunningham, R.N.
>Patient Services Director
>National Parkinson Foundation
>
>
>
><<<<I'm new to the list, and hope I've done this correctly so that I can
>get some information. My dad who's 75 has Parkinson's and has been on
>medication for some time. He complains of extreme dizziness, and must hold
>onto something almost all the time to keep from falling. His doctor has
>been unable to tell him whether this is to be expected with Parkinson's,
>whether it may be a result of medication (I think perhaps not as he is very
>dizzy in the morning before he has had any medication), or whether there
>might be some other cause. Does anyone have any insight into this? The
>doctor seems uninterested in this problem, and there is no one in our state
>who specializes in treating Parkinson's patients.
>
>Thank you in advance for you help.
>
>Patti>>>>>>>
>
