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Sorry Grace in all the problems on the List I missed you letter. Usually I
think 2 weeks without any response at all, is a sufficiently long trial for an
antipsychotic drug although at times it can take longer.

I think Kathrynne is quite right about the need to rule out an infection.

I think the neurologist used the right drugs.  I would however suggest
clozapine as a trial since it has the most  positive research written about
it.  It does have some risk- about 1-2% get aplastic anemia and therefore the
drug needs to be monitored closely with weekly blood tests. You might want a
psychopharmacologic oriented psychiatrist to see him since he probably has more
experience with hallucinations and certainly with clozaril.

Good luck,

Charlie  (retired psychiatrist)

"Kathrynne Holden, MS,RD" wrote:

> Dear Grace,
> It's good you switched to another neuro, you deserve thoughtful answers
> to a serious question like that of hallucinations. Is the new neuro a
> specialist in Parkinson's disease? That's the best possible choice where
> possible, because the source of hallucinations can be difficult to
> pinpoint sometimes, and a PD specialists will have much more specific
> experience in this area.
>
> A thought -- has the physician ruled out infection (including urinary
> tract infection), dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, subdural hematoma,
> or other possible cause of hallucination? This is not my area of
> expertise, Charlie or Bob would be much better sources of information,
> but I do know that dehydration and infections can be involved.
>
> It will be important that he receive plenty of fluids, 6-8 glasses a
> day, and that he eat well. Nutrient loss and dehydration can worsen a
> hallucinatory state.
>
> My very best regards to you and your husband,
> Kathrynne
>
> Grace M McNamara wrote:
> >
> > Thank you for all the response.  I am sorry I gave you the wrong idea.
> > It is my husband who has PD.
> >
> > He was on the same medication since he was diagnosed, seven years ago,
> > Four Sinemet 25/100 and two Eldepryl 5 mg. a day. When the hallucinations
> > started and we were not getting answers from his neurologist we changed
> > to another.  He took him off the Eldepryl.  It took about two weeks and
> > he could not get out of the chair.  He needed to be in a wheelchair.
> > This doctor  put him back on one Eldepryl a day.  Movement better.  We
> > then started on anti psychotic pills, Olanzapine, Seroquel, Mellaril.
> > Each separately for a few weeks with no results.  Now we are taking
> > Risperdal, with his Sinemet and Eldepryl.  Have just increased the
> > Risperdal to 4 mg. a day. Still hallucinating. Will stay on this for
> > awhile because I believe we didn't give the other antipsychotics a
> > chance.
> > Sorry this is so long.  We do appreciate your input.
> > Grace
>
> --
> Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
> Medical nutrition therapy
> Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
> "Parkinson's disease: assessing and managing unique nutrition needs"
> http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/

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Charles T. Meyer,  M.D.
Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin
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