Re: Permax and Psychosis

["Byron, Sara" <sbyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Monica,

As Charlie says - these drugs do cause hallucinations.  My father has
struggled with the balance of drug therapy vs. PD symptoms for years.  Our
family (& my dad) votes that we prefer more lucidity and less  mobility.
 Suggestions that we learned - pay to attention to keeping food and liquids
flowing through him.  When my dad is struggling with constipation - it seems
that the hallucinations increase.  Similarly - it seems simplistic, but make
sure he takes his medication with sufficient water and food in his stomach.

My Dad has had some humorous hallucinations, but also some frightening ones
 - he was convinced that my brother pushed my son into the fireplace, and
that he was severely burned - so my Dad called 911 - and my Mom had to deal
with paramedics and social workers who needed to investigate a possible
child abuse situation.  Occasionally I catch my Dad checking my son for
scars.  I guess my point is that these hallucinations can be VERY real and
convincing - so take this seriously, as it seems you are doing.  But let
your Dad know he certainly isn't alone.

Sara
 ----------
 ------------------------------------
>Monica
>
>Virtually all of the dopamine agonist medications eg Permax, & Parlodel as
>well as other drugs like Sinemet and Eldepryl which increase dopamine in
the
>synapse are associated at times with delusions and hallucinations in a
>portion of the PD population.  If he absolutely needs the offending
>medication sometimes Clozaril can be added although treatment of this is
not
>an FDA approved indication it is widely used-  although there are some very
>real risks.  Unlike most of the other neuroleptic medications it does not
>(usually) worsen PD symptoms and in some individuals is actually theraputic
>for PD.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Charlie
>
>
>
>  My dad had a severe psychotic episode a few years ago, which lasted for
>>  days.  He was taken off Permax then, and never resumed dosage until
>>  recently; he built up from a small amount.  A week or so ago, he had
>>  another hallucination.  He says he felt as if he was in a rocket ship
>>  about to crash.  He stopped Permax, and is very wary of it.  Any similar
>>  stoires?
>>
>>  Monica
>>
>>
>****************************************************************************
>*************************************
> Charles T. Meyer
> Madison, WI
>
>meyerct@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>****************************************************************************
>************************************
>