Re[2]: I'm back / dealing with hallucinations

[Monica Burke <Monica.BURKE@xxxxxx>]

     I should have mentioned that dad had a psychotic episode a few years
     ago, and was hospitalized for a few weeks.  He had been on permax, and
     was immediately taken off.  He was also taken off Eldepryl then, too.
     A year or so later, he was put back on a teeny dose of permax, and he
     had another episode, so the Permax is definitely a problem.

     Now, he is only on Sinemet (both regular and CR). He has Xanex for
     anxiety, which mom doesn't give him too often (she's probably busy
     taking it herself for the stress!)  I'm wary of Clozaril, because if
     the effect of the other agonists he's taken in the past.

     I wonder if this is just plain old dementia, and not really
     drug-related.  When he had his episode the first time, the attending
     physician couldn't believe there hadn't been a history of mental
     illness, but we know of none.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: I'm back / dealing with hallucinations
Author:  caves@xxxxxxx at USXMAIL
Date:    7/10/96 6:07 PM


                                 RTK.NET Mail 171804   Jul 10 18:01:42 1996


Dear Monica, welcome back.  I am sorry to hear of your fathers frightening
hallucinations.  Are you certain that your father's neurologist has been
informed about how serious they have become?  You may also want to try posting

your Dad's medications and dosages to see if some of the many knowledgeable
listmembers have some comments.

There are medications for hallucinations, the most powerful one used in
patients with PD is Clozaril.  The other tack is to look at decreasing other
medications.  If he is on Eldepryl, neuro. and the family will almost certainl
y
consider stopping that.  Dopamine agonists are usually evaluated next.  If
family and neurologist believe the agonist (such as Parlodel) is important,
you would probably try a drug like Clozaril at this point, otherwise he'd
probably try going off the Parlodel first.  Hopefully one of these options
will help in your father's case.  I'm afraid it doesn't always, but it's
certainly worth a try before accepting frightening hallucinations as a part
of life now.

I'm hoping for the best for you and your family,

Sherri
caves@xxxxxxx