Shortness of breath,rapid breathing,difficulty swallowing,frequently after a meal.Weakness.

[arthur84]

Any suggestions would be appreciated, taking 5 25/100 sinemet, 1 cr sinemet, 4mg neupro patch daily. Have had PD 8 years,also have RA. Breathing problems keep me in bed, am 88 yr.old female.

Thanks

[fwes]

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON? PLEASE SEE YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR OR GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE PARKINSONS DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE A HEART ATTACK!

[movinngroovin]

when you go to the doc ask about "Serotonin Syndrome."

[froggatt55 in reply to movinngroovin]

That's an interesting comment movinngroovin! I read up about Serotonin Syndrome when I was recommended to start Azilect in addition to Amantadine and Sinemet because of the contra indications with my Anti Depressant Paroxetine. I could not find a conclusive recommendation so asked a few Neurologists and their conclusion was that the risks were small. That was 6 years ago and I have to say that when I started the Azilect it was life changing for me - it mad everything work and still does today (I am an 11+ years veteran)

I would be glad to hear more from you on this topic

Kind regards

[movinngroovin in reply to froggatt55]

great news for you my friend! azilect was awful for me but depression is not an issue-I have too much serotonin.

ALL THESE CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS-IT TRULY TAKES A BIOCHEMIST TO CONFIGURE IT ALL!!

[froggatt55 in reply to movinngroovin]

We're all different movinngroovin that's true but going back to your other post about being your own doctor, I totally agree but here in the UK you need a Neurologist or specialist to authorise your GP to prescribe medication

I was fortunate when first diagnosed my Neurologist wasn't a Pd specialist so he would, as he got to know me, let me suggest the drugs and if he was happy then he authorised me to be his guinea pig for that drug. Apart from Ropinirol which he recommended and was a disaster for me I chose all my drugs - with the exception of Azilect which was recommended to me by Roger Barker of Cambridge UK who I rate as the best Neurologist ever

[arthur84 in reply to froggatt55]

Thanks for replying.What was your problem with paxil. I take that{30 mg} daily. How much and when do you take amantadine? I tried amantadine for a few days, it gave me dizziness. I'd like to try azilect and my neur dr. prescribed it, there again I became dizzy. How much and when do you take azilect?

Thanks again

Arthur 84 Will google serotonio syndrome

[froggatt55 in reply to arthur84]

Thee was no problem per se Arthur84 - just the risk of developing Serotonin Syndrome but, as I said, I was assured it was a small risk and I have been taking them both for 6 years. I take my Azilect at around 09.30 / 10.00 (my first dosage) and I take my Paxil at 18.00 just to keep them separate (if only in my mind)

I started on Amantadine probably 7 or so years ago with no problems

Kind regards

[froggatt55 in reply to arthur84]

Sorry I didn't fully answer your question on Amantadine - take 2 x100MG, one with my first dose of Sinemet between 09.30 and 10.00 (I take the Azilect then) and one with my second at +4 hours

Kind regards

[froggatt55]

Hi Arthur84

I have been diagnosed 11+years and am 70 years young LOL. I have swallowing difficulties and find that smaller mouthfuls and clearing your mouth before putting in another forkful / spoonful and lowering my chin just before the actual swallowing helpful

I too breathe in short gasps and find Yoga and exercise (he more intense the better) help greatly with that

[arthur84 in reply to froggatt55]

thank you for your input. What types of yoga movements do you recommend or use ? and how intense are the exercise?

[froggatt55 in reply to arthur84]

Hi Arthur84

I attend classes in Dru Yoga and the following I got from the web :

72 % found Dru Yoga reduced back pain

> 93 % experienced improved spine flexibility

> 86% enjoyed increased energy levels

> 89% experienced improved breathing with yoga

> 89% can now reduce and control stress levels

> 81% have greater confidence and self-empowerment

> 84% benefited from enhanced mood since practising Dru Yoga

> 83% felt emotionally balanced

> 91% gained peace of mind by overcoming negative thinking

I have certainly gained increased flexibility, energy levels and improved breathing - I'm not one for the mood, negative thinking aspects of it though!

I do weight training but my favourite and the one with the biggest impact on my Pd is Boxing Training - that can be VERY intense but you needn't go that far with it as many ladies don't (but some do)

Kind regards

[rsacdoolittle in reply to froggatt55]

Froggat55, hi! I am the ears and spokesperson for my dad, age 70 and PD-diagnosed around 10 years ago. He and Mom (so far but working on this) do not use computers at all. My dad would more likely do yoga type exercises if he could follow along with a DVD. Any ideas? Do you know of any good DVDs?

[Hikoi]

Arthur you are not alone in this. You can check out the earlier threads on breathing problems using search.

I copied this for you, from another site. The question was:

Can Parkinson's disease affect breathing by limiting dopamine to the intercostal muscles?

I have Parkinson's and I notice that when my Sinemet wears off it is very hard to breathe. When the meds are kicked in I can breathe normally, when they run out (usually within 4 hours) my breathing is very fast, short, and shallow and I can't seem to get enough oxygen.

The doctor replied:

The short answer is Yes.

It is not just the intercostals - all of them - which are involved in respiration, it is also the diaphragm. And all of these muscles are affected by the imbalance between acetylcholine (normal) and dopamine (low levels). There are different ways in which the dopamine deficit can cause respiratory dysfunction or malfunction but I think that you have identified the direction of relief.

You really are having breathing issues that are not inconsistent with Parkinson's and you should discuss this with your doctor soon because it sounds as if you need an adjustment in your meds. Whether it is adjusting the dosage of your Sinemet or add one of the COMTS i.e. a switch to Stalevo as a second line defense, I couldn't say.

You breathing becomes rapid and shallow because you are in respiratory distress as the muscles tighten (thanks to the acetylcholine) and do not relax, no thanks to the lack of dopamine to balance the process. Your body cannot breathe as it should. This is the motor aspect of Parkinson's disease in a very focused manner.

[froggatt55 in reply to Hikoi]

Hi Hikoi - I found your post very interesting. I totally agree the breathing difficulties are Pd related bur I don't find that going "Off" makes my breathing worse. Only exercise or Yoga on the other hand, make it better

Kind regards

[isis6361]

Avoid taking sinemet with food but take it fifteen minutes before with water only. The protein in foods can slow down the absorption of ldopa.