April Post

As for my April update, there have been some changes in my Parkinson's Disease (PD) related condition. First, as mentioned in March, I started on a dopamine agonist drug in patch form called "Neupro". This drug, while not a dopamine which is what I am lacking due to the PD, mimics the action of dopamine which is a "neurotransmitter chemical produced in the brain that helps in the transmission of messages between the nerve cells in the brain to produce smooth, coordinated movement" (http://www.pspinformation.com/medicine/individual/neupro.shtml). I started with a 2mg dose and then each week advanced to a 4mg and then 6mg dose per my neurologist in Texas.

Unfortunately, my tremors seemed to get worse and started in my thigh where I had not had a tremor before. Also, I had a rash develop anywhere the patch was located. A capsule form was also available but it was decided to go with the patch since it was a once-a-day thing versus 3 times a day for the pills. The neurologist decided to take me off the patch mainly due to the fact that I chose to see a more "local" neurologist in St. Louis at the Washington University Movement Disorder Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital so that they could start with a "clean slate" when I started treatment there. That appointment is scheduled for May 21 currently.

I'll update the blog when I find out more from the new neurologist in St. Louis. As for the tremors, they remain in the same locations as in the last update of "Mr. Bill" (left wrist, left thumb, left calf). I have had a couple intense bouts of depression (just a general sadness) during that time but as quickly as they came on, they ended after about a week of duration. As there did not seem to be any reason for the depression, I believe it to be caused by the PD and the dopamine levels.

Take care from SE Missouri...
Jim