Re: About Barbara

["Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <fivestar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Michel,
Thank you for keeping us updated on Barbara's condition. I
feel hopeful knowing that Connie was able to communicate
with her and to assist her to eat something. I will hope
that her physicians will be able to improve her drug regimen
and that she will achieve stability.

Please do take care of yourself. Here's a big cyberhug for
you, and another for Barbara!

(((((((((((((((((((((((O))))))))))))))))))))))))))

My very best,
Kathrynne

Michel Margosis wrote:
>
> I have been so wrung out about Barbara's condition, I failed to tell the
> family and friends out there of the facts.  As you know Barb was
> diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about twelve years ago and by the
> time symptoms appear, 80% of the neurons are gone.  Therapy currently
> consists of replacing the dopamine neurotransmitter that the body  no
> longer
> produces together with several other chemical; aids.  But as the disease
> progresses, the  therapy requires larger and more frequent doses for
> replacement so that Barbara can function at all.  A major problem with
> this therapy is that three of principal drugs may produce side effects
> like hallucinations, psychosis, and paranoia allegedly with about 30% of
> the people with Parkinson, and Barbara is one of them.
>
> After a restless night of very loud nightmares, I found Barbara semi
> conscious on the floor by the bed, and I was unable to give her the pill
> she normally takes upon arising.  I called the psychiatrist, Greenspring
> security and 911.  She was taken to the hospital ER from where she was
> admitted for dehydration, confusion, and psychosis.
>
> She is being given IV glucose, and trying to restore some kind of drug
> regimen including an anti psychotic.  She has been there for about ten
> days and she has refused to eat.  Yesterday, seemed like a lost week end
> with no apparent moment of lucidity, and we were beginning to worry more
> intensely; but today our friend Conne came to visit and during the six
> or so hours she spent with Barbara, she was able to feed her and
> somewhat exchange words.  The medication is being titrated slowly, but
> nobody is willing to provide a prognosis though it looks like she may
> need some rehab in a nursing home for a short time, a matter of 2-3
> weeks  to give her a chance to stabilize food intake and medication
> under medical supervision.
> I thought you should know.

--
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Constipation and Parkinson's" --  audiocassette & guidebook
"Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's
disease"
     & Risk Assessment Tools
"Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's
disease,"
     J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999.