---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 20:01:27 EDT
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Qustion Re: Parkinson's
In l992 my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At that time
his only symptom was leg tremors...rather slight. His doctor prescribed
sinemet. There was almost immediate mental deterioration but no increase
in the tremors. His mental confusion was v ery noticeable. When he broke
his ribs in a fall and had to refrain from taking sinemet while taking
pain killers, his mind improved considerably. In fact, one of my
daughters commented “It’s nice to have Dad back for a while.” When he went
back onto the sinemet, the mind once more continued to deteriorate. When
I mentioned this incident to his doctors, it was dismissed rather readily.
One commented, “o that only happens forfor two or hree days.” but in my
husband’s case, his mind was clear FOR THREE WEEKS WHILE ON THE PAIN
KILLERS. During the next few years, the tremors increased and the mind
continued to deteriorate. He was often very confused. Sometimes his
comments were just “off the wall.” He is, or rather was, an attorney by
the way . It was necessary to resign from his law practice, not from he
physical aspects of Parkinson’s, but from the mental confusion, lack of
memory, lack of logic etc. During this time he was taking six sinemets
daily. Because of his mental confusion, the doctor prescribed Aricept
{medication for alzheimer’s} and there was an almost immediate
improvement. ...quite remarkable really.This did not last more than a few
months, however, and he once more reverted to a state of mental
confusion...unable to even know the month, day, or year. Comments were
again “off the wall” Total confusion. When my daughter said “look at the
baby guinea pigs, Dad,” he asked “Are they in receivership?” (this is a
legal term relating to bankruptcy.) There are times when he is unable to
even complete a sentence. Meanwhile his tremors became increasingly
dramatic and more constant, both arms and legs. Usually about a week
prior to running out of his sinemet , he pesters me to get he prescription
filled fearful that he is going to run out. About six weeks ago, when his
supply was depleted, he did not mention it so I decided to see how he
would be without the sinemet. Remember up until this time his tremors
were almost constant, arms and legs, and very dramatic. Within a few days
of being off the sinemet, THE TREMORS STOPPED. THEY JUST STOPPED. I have
only observed tremors, and very slight ones at that, three times in the
last six weeks since he has been off the sinemet. It is worth emphasizing
here that at the same time he stopped taking the sinemet, he also went off
he aricept, and his mental condition deteriorated even more. BUT THE
TREMORS HAVE ALL BUT DISAPPEARED.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE??? At the doctor’s appointment last week,
it was suggested he go back on the aricept, but not the sinemet. This
doctor is a Parkinson’sspecialist, by the way, highly recommended and highly
regarded, but the succession of incidents described do not seem to have any
significance. My questions: is the sinemet related to my husband’s mental
condition? Why did he tremors almost disappear when he stopped taking the
sinemet? It was rather interesting that at last weeks doctor’s
appointment, there was an intern present, and when I explained how the
tremors stopped when my husband stopped taking sinemet, his eyes almost
popped out of his head. Is there anyone out there who can help us?
Regards
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