Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:11 am Post subject: moving and walking
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parkinson is a movement disorder and lost movement coordination.
Parkinson's sufferers have problems
1. Incoordination on moving both hand whilst walking.
2.Walking are more faster than both hand moving
Kindly elaporate
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Kathrynne Holden, MS
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:44 am Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.
Dear Friend,
I am not the best person to describe and explain the symptoms of PD. I recommend you direct your question to “Ask the Doctor” as the physicians are all neurologists who are Parkinson specialists, and can give you a much better explanation. My scope of practice is nutrition, and I will be happy to address questions in that area.
_________________
Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS
--
For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit:
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
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Anonymous
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The PD can cause some rigidity in one or both arms. In this case, when walking, one arm or perhaps both do not swing freely. In my case, I almost had to consciously swing my left arm but it was not a natural swing. The arm almost hung motionless unless I forced a swing.
If I understand the second question, walking faster will not cause the affected arm to swing faster.
Hope this helps.
Rich
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Anonymous
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The attached article explains it better than I did ...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173800.php
Rich
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Kathrynne Holden, MS
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:40 am Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.
Thank you Rich! That was an excellent explanation. Wish I'd thought of that.
_________________
Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS
--
For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit:
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
swallowing difficulties in PD
Anonymous
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject: Treating Swallowing Difficulty in Parkinson's disease
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does treatment for swallowing difficulty in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease entail? Is teaching compensatory strategies most effective or are other treatment techniques more beneficial?
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lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: Treating Swallowing Disorders in the Late Stages of PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in swallowing are frequently found in PD. It has been reported that as many as 95% of people with PD have dysphagia (Bird, Woodward, Gibson, Phyland, & Fonda, 1994; Logemann, Blonsky & Boshes, 1975; Potulska, Friedman, Krolicki & Spychala, 2003). When dysphagia is present it has a negative impact on quality of life by interfering with the ability to take medications, maintain hydration and nutrition, and may result in aspiration pneumonia. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in PD (Beyer, Herlofson, Arsland, & Larson, 2001; D’Amelio, Ragonese, Morgante, Reggio, Callari, Salemi & Savettieri, 2006). Swallowing disorders in PD are caused by motor and sensory components. Muscle rigidity, weakness and bradykinesia can affect all phases of swallowing and sensorimotor abnormalities may reduce the person’s awareness of symptoms of dysphagia (Robbins et al. 1986; Labuszewski & Lidsky, 1979).
Although swallowing difficulties can be present in early stages of PD, typically they are more prevalent as the disease progresses. Given the complexity of normal swallowing and the variability of changes in swallowing due to PD, it is not possible to describe which type of treatment intervention might be most appropriate for a given individual.
Treatment options include postures such as chin down to alter the bolus flow, maneuvers such as an effortful swallow to improve bolus clearance in the pharynx, changes in consistency of liquids or foods, and possibly adding non-oral feeding alternatives such as a feeding tube in the stomach. An evaluation with a speech-language pathologist who is experienced in treating people with PD will determine which treatment strategy is best for an individual.
If you or a family member are experiencing changes in swallowing that make it difficult to take pills and/or coughing during meals, please talk to your physician and seek a referral to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP can evaluate communication and swallowing.
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject: Treating Swallowing Difficulty in Parkinson's disease
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does treatment for swallowing difficulty in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease entail? Is teaching compensatory strategies most effective or are other treatment techniques more beneficial?
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lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: Treating Swallowing Disorders in the Late Stages of PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in swallowing are frequently found in PD. It has been reported that as many as 95% of people with PD have dysphagia (Bird, Woodward, Gibson, Phyland, & Fonda, 1994; Logemann, Blonsky & Boshes, 1975; Potulska, Friedman, Krolicki & Spychala, 2003). When dysphagia is present it has a negative impact on quality of life by interfering with the ability to take medications, maintain hydration and nutrition, and may result in aspiration pneumonia. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in PD (Beyer, Herlofson, Arsland, & Larson, 2001; D’Amelio, Ragonese, Morgante, Reggio, Callari, Salemi & Savettieri, 2006). Swallowing disorders in PD are caused by motor and sensory components. Muscle rigidity, weakness and bradykinesia can affect all phases of swallowing and sensorimotor abnormalities may reduce the person’s awareness of symptoms of dysphagia (Robbins et al. 1986; Labuszewski & Lidsky, 1979).
Although swallowing difficulties can be present in early stages of PD, typically they are more prevalent as the disease progresses. Given the complexity of normal swallowing and the variability of changes in swallowing due to PD, it is not possible to describe which type of treatment intervention might be most appropriate for a given individual.
Treatment options include postures such as chin down to alter the bolus flow, maneuvers such as an effortful swallow to improve bolus clearance in the pharynx, changes in consistency of liquids or foods, and possibly adding non-oral feeding alternatives such as a feeding tube in the stomach. An evaluation with a speech-language pathologist who is experienced in treating people with PD will determine which treatment strategy is best for an individual.
If you or a family member are experiencing changes in swallowing that make it difficult to take pills and/or coughing during meals, please talk to your physician and seek a referral to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP can evaluate communication and swallowing.
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
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tongue tied
Anonymous
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: Tongue problems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's last summer. In 51 years old and taking Requip XL 12 mg, Aslect 1 mg, Zoloft 100 mg and just recently provincial provigil 100 mg.
It seems as if over the last few months it has become more difficult to talk because my tongue gets tied. It seems to be worse later in the day when I'm tired or under stress. Because of this I feel that my speech becomes confused.
Do you think this is related to the Parkinson's? If so, what can I do about it?
Thanks,
Dave
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lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject: Tongue-tied
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
It sounds like the symptoms you describe may be related to your Parkinson's disease (PD). Speech problems are very common in people with Parkinson disease! It has been reported as high as 89% of people with PD have trouble with their speech or voice. The most common difficulties include reduced vocal loudness, monotone, imprecise articulation (often related to the tongue), and a hoarse or breathy sounding voice. In addition, some individuals have difficulties similar to what you have described - there are changes in tongue movement and symptoms are worse when you are fatigued.
Without seeing you in person, it is difficult for me to determine exactly what is going on with your oral/pharyngeal muscles. However, given the high incidence of speech (and swallowing) problems in PD I would strongly urge you to seek an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist. IF it is the PD that is causing the difficulties you describe, then treatment may help and you should get started as soon as possible.
I'm glad you wrote.
Leslie
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
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Anonymous
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday my neuro said my voice has decreased volume. This is confirmed by my wife. Is there anything I can or should do about this? Is this progressive? I have to do a lot oftalking in my job and I am some what worried.
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lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject: Reduced Loudness in PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
Reduced loudness is a very common complaint of family members of people with PD. I say family members because they are usually the ones to notice first since the person with PD is often unaware that they are speaking too softly to be understood easily.
YES, therapy can help. It should be intensive, effortful treatment according to the neuroscience literature. The LSVT LOUD treatment is administered 4 times a week for 4 weeks for individual 0ne-hour sessions. This is one option for you that has Level I efficacy data. Level I efficacy data means that the treatment has been studied in a randomized control trial comparing it with an alternate treatment and with no treatment. Those data are published in:
Ramig, L., Sapir, S., Countryman S., Pawlas, A., O’Brien, C., Hoehn, M., & Thompson, L. (2001). Intensive voice treatment (LSVT LOUD) for individuals with Parkinson disease: A two-year follow-up. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 71, 493-498.
If you are still working and communication is important in your profession then I encourage you to begin treatment to improve your voice and speech abilities as soon as possible.
Leslie
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: Tongue problems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's last summer. In 51 years old and taking Requip XL 12 mg, Aslect 1 mg, Zoloft 100 mg and just recently provincial provigil 100 mg.
It seems as if over the last few months it has become more difficult to talk because my tongue gets tied. It seems to be worse later in the day when I'm tired or under stress. Because of this I feel that my speech becomes confused.
Do you think this is related to the Parkinson's? If so, what can I do about it?
Thanks,
Dave
Back to top
lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject: Tongue-tied
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
It sounds like the symptoms you describe may be related to your Parkinson's disease (PD). Speech problems are very common in people with Parkinson disease! It has been reported as high as 89% of people with PD have trouble with their speech or voice. The most common difficulties include reduced vocal loudness, monotone, imprecise articulation (often related to the tongue), and a hoarse or breathy sounding voice. In addition, some individuals have difficulties similar to what you have described - there are changes in tongue movement and symptoms are worse when you are fatigued.
Without seeing you in person, it is difficult for me to determine exactly what is going on with your oral/pharyngeal muscles. However, given the high incidence of speech (and swallowing) problems in PD I would strongly urge you to seek an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist. IF it is the PD that is causing the difficulties you describe, then treatment may help and you should get started as soon as possible.
I'm glad you wrote.
Leslie
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
Back to top
Anonymous
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday my neuro said my voice has decreased volume. This is confirmed by my wife. Is there anything I can or should do about this? Is this progressive? I have to do a lot oftalking in my job and I am some what worried.
Back to top
lmahler
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject: Reduced Loudness in PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
Reduced loudness is a very common complaint of family members of people with PD. I say family members because they are usually the ones to notice first since the person with PD is often unaware that they are speaking too softly to be understood easily.
YES, therapy can help. It should be intensive, effortful treatment according to the neuroscience literature. The LSVT LOUD treatment is administered 4 times a week for 4 weeks for individual 0ne-hour sessions. This is one option for you that has Level I efficacy data. Level I efficacy data means that the treatment has been studied in a randomized control trial comparing it with an alternate treatment and with no treatment. Those data are published in:
Ramig, L., Sapir, S., Countryman S., Pawlas, A., O’Brien, C., Hoehn, M., & Thompson, L. (2001). Intensive voice treatment (LSVT LOUD) for individuals with Parkinson disease: A two-year follow-up. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 71, 493-498.
If you are still working and communication is important in your profession then I encourage you to begin treatment to improve your voice and speech abilities as soon as possible.
Leslie
_________________
Leslie Mahler, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor
University of Rhode Island
Voice and tongue
Anonymous
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: Voice and tongue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's last summer. I am 51 years old and taking Requip 4 mg, three times a day, Azilect 1 mg, Zoloft 100 mg and provigil 100 mg.
I previously asked a question about being tongue-tied. I also asked a question about my voice. Apparently that did not get through or somewhere along the line it was missed.
Yesterday while talking on the phone I realized my tongue was not moving correctly. It seemed to be moving slowly. As I thought back, this does not happen often, just occasionally, at lease this severely.
Also, my neurologist and my wife have indicated that they believe my voice has decreased in volume.
Do you think these symptoms are related to the Parkinson's disease? Is there anything that can be done about it? Any other thoughts or suggestions you have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
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CBassich
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 0
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: Loss of Voice Volume (loudness)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You mentioned that your wife and neurologist have noticed a change in the loudness of your voice. This is a very typical, early symptom experienced by persons with Parkinson Disease. Research has suggested that persons with Parkinson Disease loose the ability to monitor their feeling of loudness. That is, when you are talking in what you feel is a normal level of loudness- the listener feels you are talking softly. When people ask you to "Talk Louder" or "Speak Up" you can do so, but it feels that you are talking too loud. You need to feel comfortable that when you talk at a level your listener hears as "just right" it actually feels loud to you. This is a hard thing to train yourself to do, because no one wants to feel that they are talking too loud! This retraining is actually an integral part of the treatment/training strategy used in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which was originally developed for persons with Parkinson Disease. You might want to devise a secret hand signal with your wife that cues you to "Speak Louder".
As for your feeling of being "tongue-tied" - I am sorry if a previous posting was not answered. If you feel your tongue is moving slowly, that also could be due to your Parkinson disease. Persons with Parkinson disease often feel that arms, legs, and even the tongue move slowly. Again, talking louder and using a slower speaking rate will help you to speak more clearly.
You might want to consult with a speech pathologist about Lee Silverman Voice Treatment or alternative voice and speech therapy that would focus on the problems you are experiencing. I suggest that you find a speech pathologist who has experience treating persons with Parkinson Disease. The National Parkinson Foundation has sponsored an interdisciplinary training program at a national level - Allied Team Training for Parkinson Disease. The Speech Pathologists who have completed this training have participated in a four and one-half day workshop that focused on specific treatment of speech, language and swallowing problems experienced by persons with Parkinson Disease. This training also taught them about other problems that persons with Parkinson disease experience and how other professionals, such as Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Nurse Practioners, Neurologists, Music Therapists, and Social Workers can network in treating persons with Parkinson Disease. Also, there are speech pathologists that are certified for the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which is an intensive speech therapy program for persons with Parkinson Disease.
Celia J. Bassich, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Allied Team Training for Parkinson Disease, NPF
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: Voice and tongue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's last summer. I am 51 years old and taking Requip 4 mg, three times a day, Azilect 1 mg, Zoloft 100 mg and provigil 100 mg.
I previously asked a question about being tongue-tied. I also asked a question about my voice. Apparently that did not get through or somewhere along the line it was missed.
Yesterday while talking on the phone I realized my tongue was not moving correctly. It seemed to be moving slowly. As I thought back, this does not happen often, just occasionally, at lease this severely.
Also, my neurologist and my wife have indicated that they believe my voice has decreased in volume.
Do you think these symptoms are related to the Parkinson's disease? Is there anything that can be done about it? Any other thoughts or suggestions you have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
Back to top
CBassich
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 0
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: Loss of Voice Volume (loudness)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You mentioned that your wife and neurologist have noticed a change in the loudness of your voice. This is a very typical, early symptom experienced by persons with Parkinson Disease. Research has suggested that persons with Parkinson Disease loose the ability to monitor their feeling of loudness. That is, when you are talking in what you feel is a normal level of loudness- the listener feels you are talking softly. When people ask you to "Talk Louder" or "Speak Up" you can do so, but it feels that you are talking too loud. You need to feel comfortable that when you talk at a level your listener hears as "just right" it actually feels loud to you. This is a hard thing to train yourself to do, because no one wants to feel that they are talking too loud! This retraining is actually an integral part of the treatment/training strategy used in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which was originally developed for persons with Parkinson Disease. You might want to devise a secret hand signal with your wife that cues you to "Speak Louder".
As for your feeling of being "tongue-tied" - I am sorry if a previous posting was not answered. If you feel your tongue is moving slowly, that also could be due to your Parkinson disease. Persons with Parkinson disease often feel that arms, legs, and even the tongue move slowly. Again, talking louder and using a slower speaking rate will help you to speak more clearly.
You might want to consult with a speech pathologist about Lee Silverman Voice Treatment or alternative voice and speech therapy that would focus on the problems you are experiencing. I suggest that you find a speech pathologist who has experience treating persons with Parkinson Disease. The National Parkinson Foundation has sponsored an interdisciplinary training program at a national level - Allied Team Training for Parkinson Disease. The Speech Pathologists who have completed this training have participated in a four and one-half day workshop that focused on specific treatment of speech, language and swallowing problems experienced by persons with Parkinson Disease. This training also taught them about other problems that persons with Parkinson disease experience and how other professionals, such as Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Nurse Practioners, Neurologists, Music Therapists, and Social Workers can network in treating persons with Parkinson Disease. Also, there are speech pathologists that are certified for the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which is an intensive speech therapy program for persons with Parkinson Disease.
Celia J. Bassich, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Allied Team Training for Parkinson Disease, NPF
Monday, January 4, 2010
How different is Stalevo from Sinemet?
Sinemet is actually a combination of levodopa and carbidopa. Levodopa is the active ingredient that enters the brain and gets converted to dopamine once it arrives at its destination. When levodopa was marketed alone (without the carbidopa) a lot of the patients had significant nausea and vomiting. This is because the levodopa that was not absorbed in the gut and was converted to dopamine. In the gut, dopamine cannot be absorbed and therefore it cannot enter the brain beyond its “iron curtain” (called the blood brain barier) (it can only enter if it is in levodopa form). Unfortunately, when outside the brain, dopamine is an irritant. It causes nausea and the vomiting. This is because the one area of the brain (called area postrema) is exposed and stimulated as it is not situated behind the brain’s ‘iron curtain’. Carbidopa blocks the enzyme that coverts levodopa to dopamine in the gut so that more of it gets absorbed and less of it stays in the gut as dopamine. Since carbidopa has been automatically incorporated with levodopa, there has been less nausea experienced by patients. Sin-emet is in fact derived from the latin words, sin (meaning “without”) and emet (meaning “to vomit”). Sinemet therefore means, “without vomiting”. Of course this is not always the case, and some patients actually need extra doses of carbidopa than the one that is built in the sinemet tablet.
It gets even better. Stalevo combines three ingredients: levodopa, carbidopa, plus entcapone. Entacapone blocks another enzyme that breaks down levodopa in the gut. The net result is more levodopa getting absorbed and entering the brain. It is therefore a good drug for those with wearing off as it prolongs the life of levodopa (Hauser 2004).
A double-blind clinical trial known as STRIDE-PD (STalevo Reduction in Dyskinesia Evaluation) to determine if Stalevo is effective in delaying the start of dyskinesias was recently concluded. Unfortunately, it showed that patients who started on stalevo did not have lesser dyskinesias than those who started on sinemet. So for now, unless one is experiencing wearing off symptoms, it might be better to simply use sinemet.
_________________
Hubert H. Fernandez
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Anonymous
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject: Parkinson's symptoms and Nausea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doctor,
My Mother is not able to walk, bathe, or dress herself due to her Parkinson's. She has been taking 5 doses of Stalevo (125mg) 5 times a day with extra Carbidoba and a Sinemet CR before bedtime. She has a big problem with nausea which we fight continuously. We are staggering the meds/food now, but it does not seem to help too much. Is there a combination of meds that we can try to help alleviate both Parkinson's and the nausea.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
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Dr. Fernandez
Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 90
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, i would recommend NOT to stagger food and meds. She should take it with food if she has a lot of nausea.
If this does not work, i would double the dose of carbidopa.
See if those work first, before we do anything else. Talk to her doctor of course.
Yours,
_________________
Hubert H. Fernandez
Sinemet is actually a combination of levodopa and carbidopa. Levodopa is the active ingredient that enters the brain and gets converted to dopamine once it arrives at its destination. When levodopa was marketed alone (without the carbidopa) a lot of the patients had significant nausea and vomiting. This is because the levodopa that was not absorbed in the gut and was converted to dopamine. In the gut, dopamine cannot be absorbed and therefore it cannot enter the brain beyond its “iron curtain” (called the blood brain barier) (it can only enter if it is in levodopa form). Unfortunately, when outside the brain, dopamine is an irritant. It causes nausea and the vomiting. This is because the one area of the brain (called area postrema) is exposed and stimulated as it is not situated behind the brain’s ‘iron curtain’. Carbidopa blocks the enzyme that coverts levodopa to dopamine in the gut so that more of it gets absorbed and less of it stays in the gut as dopamine. Since carbidopa has been automatically incorporated with levodopa, there has been less nausea experienced by patients. Sin-emet is in fact derived from the latin words, sin (meaning “without”) and emet (meaning “to vomit”). Sinemet therefore means, “without vomiting”. Of course this is not always the case, and some patients actually need extra doses of carbidopa than the one that is built in the sinemet tablet.
It gets even better. Stalevo combines three ingredients: levodopa, carbidopa, plus entcapone. Entacapone blocks another enzyme that breaks down levodopa in the gut. The net result is more levodopa getting absorbed and entering the brain. It is therefore a good drug for those with wearing off as it prolongs the life of levodopa (Hauser 2004).
A double-blind clinical trial known as STRIDE-PD (STalevo Reduction in Dyskinesia Evaluation) to determine if Stalevo is effective in delaying the start of dyskinesias was recently concluded. Unfortunately, it showed that patients who started on stalevo did not have lesser dyskinesias than those who started on sinemet. So for now, unless one is experiencing wearing off symptoms, it might be better to simply use sinemet.
_________________
Hubert H. Fernandez
Back to top
Anonymous
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject: Parkinson's symptoms and Nausea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doctor,
My Mother is not able to walk, bathe, or dress herself due to her Parkinson's. She has been taking 5 doses of Stalevo (125mg) 5 times a day with extra Carbidoba and a Sinemet CR before bedtime. She has a big problem with nausea which we fight continuously. We are staggering the meds/food now, but it does not seem to help too much. Is there a combination of meds that we can try to help alleviate both Parkinson's and the nausea.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Back to top
Dr. Fernandez
Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 90
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, i would recommend NOT to stagger food and meds. She should take it with food if she has a lot of nausea.
If this does not work, i would double the dose of carbidopa.
See if those work first, before we do anything else. Talk to her doctor of course.
Yours,
_________________
Hubert H. Fernandez
Melatonin,insomnia and PD
Kathrynne Holden, MS
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: Melatonin, insomnia and PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.
Melatonin, insomnia and PD
Melatonin has helped many people suffering from jet lag. An animal study
has appeared promising in terms of preventing cell death, but human
studies are lacking. If you’d like to try melatonin for sleep, discuss it
with your doctor first. The Dietary Supplement advises: “For minor
sleeping problems, start with 0.3-0.5 mg (300-500 mcg; cut the pill if
necessary), a dose that maintains blood concentrations at healthy levels.
Take it 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime and be careful, for melatonin
can impair mental alertness and physical coordination as it lowers body
temperature and blood pressure slightly. Incrementally increase the dose
up to 5 mg/night if smaller amounts aren’t helpful, recognizing that you
may feel tired and sleepy the following morning if you take too much....If
you have persistent insomnia or chronic sleep problems....Get a medical
evaluation to identify the cause. Unless a doctor advises otherwise,
melatonin should not be taken for more than a few months at a time since
its long-term safety hasn’t been studied.”
Thomas, P.R. Melatonin. The Dietary Supplement. V 4 No 1 Jan-Feb 2003.
_________________
Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS
--
For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit:
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: Melatonin, insomnia and PD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.
Melatonin, insomnia and PD
Melatonin has helped many people suffering from jet lag. An animal study
has appeared promising in terms of preventing cell death, but human
studies are lacking. If you’d like to try melatonin for sleep, discuss it
with your doctor first. The Dietary Supplement advises: “For minor
sleeping problems, start with 0.3-0.5 mg (300-500 mcg; cut the pill if
necessary), a dose that maintains blood concentrations at healthy levels.
Take it 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime and be careful, for melatonin
can impair mental alertness and physical coordination as it lowers body
temperature and blood pressure slightly. Incrementally increase the dose
up to 5 mg/night if smaller amounts aren’t helpful, recognizing that you
may feel tired and sleepy the following morning if you take too much....If
you have persistent insomnia or chronic sleep problems....Get a medical
evaluation to identify the cause. Unless a doctor advises otherwise,
melatonin should not be taken for more than a few months at a time since
its long-term safety hasn’t been studied.”
Thomas, P.R. Melatonin. The Dietary Supplement. V 4 No 1 Jan-Feb 2003.
_________________
Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS
--
For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit:
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
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