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Dear Barb, How long have you been using the Elavil? I believe many people with PD use Elavil quite successfully, however, there are some concerns: "Tricyclic antidepressants should be used with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease. Tricyclic antidepressants rarely can induce or worsen extrapyramidal symptoms. In addition, involuntary movements, which appear to be tardive dyskinesia, can occur." Additionally, re Xanax, "Patients who are being treated with levodopa for Parkinson's disease can experience decreased control of the symptoms of this disease when benzodiazepines are added to their regimen. Benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously to such patients. Concomitant administration of alprazolam with CNS-depressant drugs, including opiate agonists, phenothiazines, barbiturates, ethanol, HÀ-blockers, general anesthetics, and tricyclic antidepressants, can potentiate the CNS effects (e.g., increased sedation or respiratory depression) of either agent." I imagine your MDS has been administering these cautiously, as you had not previously reported any adverse reactions. And it may be that your throat constriction is not related to use of either or both of these meds. But I would bring this up when you see him tomorrow, especially as the constriction began occurring at bedtime, about the time you take the Elavil; and because it has gotten worse since the MDS increased the Elavil. It's just possible that there is a relation, especially with concomitant use of Xanax. I hope you'll let us know how your visit goes tomorrow -- we'll be thinking of you!! Best regards, Kathrynne Barbara Blake-Krebs wrote: > > Hi...can anyone tell me what is likely going on here? A problem which has > been going on now for many, many months has gotton much worse on occasion > recently. > I need practice in describing it and feedback from my list cyber-family in > preparation for contacting my MDS tomorrow. > > I first noticed internal rigidity in my throat at nite upon going to bed. It > usually was/is relieved by morning. Adjustments I made were to sleep with my > head and torso raised. I think my MDS increased my Elavil in response to my > report of this symptom. On a few nites it was so painful that I got up and > played Solitaire games on my computer. > > Recently (about last two weeks), I have started having incidences during the > day whereby I feel my throat start to constrict, as it did yesterdauy > afternoon and to a lesser degree around 11:15 a.m. today. I find it quite > alarming. I think in most of these daytime incidences, it occurs after my > usual dose of meds while they are kicking in. But I have audible breathing > at other times as well. (perhaps before I take meds) Also, I have had > incidents of worse dyskinesias. > > The med schedule I have been following for some time is as follows: > > 6:30 am arise > 7:00 1 xanax (0.25 mg) > 7:30 1 mirapex (0.25) > 8 2 Sinemets (25/100) > 1 Tasmar (100 mg) > > 11 to 12:30 2 mirapex > 11 to 1 2 sinemets > > 4-5 1 xanax > 5 to 6 2 mirapexs > 5:30 to 6:30 2 sinemets > 1 Tasmar > > 10 pm 3 Elavils 25 mg > > I look forward to your input and/or questions. Thanks. > > Regards, > Barb B-K > -- > Barbara Blake-Krebs [log in to unmask] -- 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/