Re: ?improvement in PD

[Brian Collins <bjc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri 04 Sep, Mary Legan wrote:
> I've had an experience which I need your help to explain.  I was diagnosed
> with PD (the rigidity type) ~ 6 yrs ago, and now take 6 Sinemet 10/100 tablets
> & 4 Sinemet 25/100 CR throughout the day, plus one or both early am if
> necessary.  I do have rather severe end-dose "offs", no dyskenesias; mornings
> are my best time.
>
> A few months ago, a doctor who was studying people with PD & migraine asked if
> I would see her late a.m. without having taken any meds.  I agreed, & did so.
> Then, a couple weeks ago, I saw a movement disorder physician at Mayo, late
> morning.  I had taken morning meds, but was due for a 10/100 while there,
> which I didn't take.  In both cases, I did very well, indeed!  So much so that
> I seemed essentially normal during each appointment.
>
> I know that stress can definitely make PD symptoms worse. Can this work in the
> opposite way?   Being with both of the doctors I mentioned was a very positive
> experience for me.  Have any of you improved at times which are emotionally
> very good for you?
>
> A friend who was with me at Mayo has (I believe) misunderstood & now is rather
> convinced that I don't have PD.  Discussions with her are now causing me quite
> a bit of stress!
>
> If you have had improvements when life is good, would you send me a note on
> this which I could show her?
>
> Or if you could share some neurochemistry information on this, that would
> really help a lot, too.  She & I are both studiers.
>
> This is more important to me than I can express in this post, & I'll be very
> grateful for whatever you would be willing to contribute.
>
> M.Dawn  56/6
>
>
>
Hello Mary,  I found your story interesting, because I have discovered that
in situations where stress is a significant factor, the amount of Sinemet
required goes down dramatically. I have made good use of this factor at
the AGM's of our PD Society in the UK, which are often stressful and
argumentative. I initially found that I was shaking uncontrollably, which
hampered me considerably, and I have now found that for the entire 2 days
of the meeting, I can manage on only half my normal dosage of Sinemet. (I
have had PD for 20 yrs , by the way) . I believe  that the missing Sinemet
is being temporarily replaced by adrenalin - it's a well-established fact
that adrenalin can affect PD symptoms, but I was amazed to find I could
keep it going for 2 days.

The other point concerns your mention of " plus one or both early am if
necessary."  I scent an early morning "Kick -start over boost of an additional
tablet early in the mormning. Am I right, and if so, did you take that booster
tab on the day you felt good? I have written before on this subject, so I won't
go into too much detail, Suffice to say that I believe Kick-Starting with an
extra tablet can seriously spoil your entire day!
--
Brian Collins  <bjc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>