Citalopram

[Jann Bell <algonesh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I could sure use some advice on this drug. My Dad, 78 years old, who has 
been diagnosed with PD since 1998 has only taken Carbidopa/Levidopa for 
all these many years. He currently takes 2 - 100 mg tablets three times a 
day, plus 1/2 tablet of Simvastanin (spelling?) for cholesterol. The 
latter drug was only introduced a few months ago. Other than those two 
meds and an aspirin a day, we've kept things pretty simple. I have been 
reading this listserv for several years off and on and remember, 
especially, the drastic side effects drugs can have on the PD patient that 
ordinarily might not affect a person without PD. He sees a nurse 
practitioner at the Veterans Adminstration here in Arkansas, and she, 
along, with most of the doctors in this area know little to nothing about 
PD and have no interest in changing that. So, the listserv is invaluable 
when it comes to real life suggestions and observations.

His nurse practitioner suggested Citalopram Hydrobromide, 200 mg daily. I 
really am hesitant to introduce any new drug that cause bad side effects 
IF MY DAD MIGHT AVOID THEM. However, I also notice, that since PD affects 
everyone differently it might be an unavoidable condition of having PD - 
namely, having to at least try everything suggested and hope that not too 
much harm is done in the process.

Any thoughts about Citalopram would really be appreciated. I also 
mentioned to the Nurse Practitioner that Dad was starting to kind of lose 
his ability to string words and thoughts together more frequently but at 
other times had a pretty good command of his thought process (possible 
Lewy Body Disease), She had no comment.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Jann, caregiver to Dad, Jack, 78 yo

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