Can anyone help this person? Please either respond directly to them at
[log in to unmask] or I'll forward it if you post to the list.
Thanks,
Simon
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Envelope-to: [log in to unmask]
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 20:37:18 EDT
Subject: Qustion RE: Parkinson's
To: [log in to unmask]
CC: [log in to unmask]
MIME-Version: 1.0
Hello-
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 for 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?
do any of the side effects of sinemet concern dimentia?
Regards
Betty Davey
Please pass my request for information or clarification to anyone who might
be of assistance. Kindly respond to my son at the following address:
Please respond to [log in to unmask]
-------------
--------- My opinions are my own, NIP's opinions are theirs ----------
Simon J. Coles Email: [log in to unmask]
New Information Paradigms Work Phone: +44 1344 753703
http://www.nipltd.com/ Work Fax: +44 1344 772510
For Parkinson's Disease Information see http://www.coles.org.uk
=============== Life is too precious to take seriously ===============
