Dear Ellen and List:
I think this served as a little warning, so to speak NOT
to try experimental things at home. Actually, there
was news not too long ago that nicotine was being looked
at to see if it would help PWP (if I recall, it was discussed on the list
several times). I know when I inquired about it, I was told that the
nicotine form being studied was not in the same form as the nicotine patch
that one can buy over the counter. Also, please remember that specific
dosages of the nicotine patch are given to heavy smokers trying to quit and
those doses might just have a toxic effect on non-smokers. Perhaps that is why
you had such a violent reaction.
Even though it seems like it takes forever for such
studies to come to a conclusion, it really is for the benefit of the people that
will eventually take the drug. There are so many factors that have to be
considered for someone to participate in a legitimate drug study, things you may
not even have given a second thought to.
While I don't have PD, I am the daughter of a person with
Parkinson's and I know how frustrated you all feel waiting and waiting for that
miraculous breakthrough. My mother asks me each time she speaks with me
(daily) "is there is anything new?" as far as the potential cure for
PD. I wish I could tell her and all of you "yes", but it's just not so at
this point. I just hate to think of anyone possibly causing harm to themselves
by practicing amateur medicine at home.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Cunningham, R.N.
NPF
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 12:48:24
EDT
From: Ellen Jablonski <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: PD--my
experiment with Nicotine patch.
A news blurb recently said that a
nicotine patch worn for 12 hours would ease
the symptoms of TOURETTES for
about a week, and they continued that Tourettes
involves "INVOLUNTARY
MOTIONS" (ring any bells?). I scored a single patch
from someone trying
to quit smoking (otherwise it's about $50 for smallest
supply at pharmacy
OTC) and waited till my CG was home to try it in case of
reaction.
Within 1/2 hour I was extremely woozy and got down on the floor
before I'd
fall there. I also had nausea. IT WAS NOT COMFORTABLE AT ALL.
I'd
much prefer the shaking etc.
The PUNCH LINE is the next day I saw/read
something about Zyban (the pill
used for stopping smoking. The
following day it dawned on me: I'm on
'WELLBUTRIN" for depression (I've
tried all the others, let's see if this one
works--intellectually I'm way
beyond this 'trauma', but my emotions aren't
keeping up). Wellbutrin is
the same as Zyban, but marketed towards smokers.
That may explain my adverse
reaction.
FYI, Ellen