Phobias Magnified with PD

[Griffin16]

I’m new to this thread. I was hoping that someone may share the same struggle I’m having in the hopes they have conquered it. My struggle is the mental side. I was diagnosed 3 months ago with PD at the age of 50. My wife and I are fairly certain I’ve had PD for as long as 2 years. Over the past 2 years, I’ve had sporadic episodes of dizziness and phobias that I never had before. For example, heights never bothered me prior to 2 years ago. Now, i cant even go above the 2nd or 3rd floor in a building or I feel like I’m falling. Ever sense I started taking My PD meds (sinemet, buspar , remeron ), it seems to have worsened. I can’t even sit in my chair at home and watch a TV show that shows heights in it or I feel like I’m falling. The feeling is most times accompanied by pressure in my head. My Dr says it’s anxiety and that the Buspar will eventually become full strength in my system and the problem will subside. But how long will that take? Anyone else struggle with the mental aspect such as this?

[honeycombe3]

Hi Griffin16,

I posted on this topic recently asking for others who might have experienced this. I received many replies most of which were from PeP who had become hypersensitive to various stimuli. I have no idea where we go from here.

[kaypeeoh]

Holey cow, that mirrors my complaints exactly. Yesterday I fell while trying to climb over a stone fence. Had to hold tree trunks to keep from falling on a hill climb. Np pressure in my head but severe cramping of my neck. I can barely turn my head side-to-side.

[park_bear]

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

"Mirtazapine may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines. Do not use mirtazapine with buspirone (Buspar®)"

drugs.com/drug-interactions...

"Interactions between your drugs

Major

busPIRone mirtazapine

Applies to: BuSpar (buspirone) and Remeron (mirtazapine)

Using busPIRone together with mirtazapine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. "

This is not an appropriate combination for a first shot at treating anxiety.

An MD should not be putting your symptoms down to anxiety without checking for an organic cause. There may be an underlying condition that is triggered by stress inducing situations. I suggest a workup for potential causes of dizziness at a properly equipped Hearing and Balance Center.

[NRyan]

If there is pressure in your head, it may be physiological in nature. It could be ear related. I don't assume all health issues I have are related to PD. You shouldn't either.

[gwendolinej]

Hi there Griffin16, I didn't initially think I could help with your problem, but after reading the replies I thought I'd add a couple of things that might help. You may as well learn by our mistakes rather than make the same ones.

They still really know so little definitively about the brain, so even the neurologists are guessing a lot of the time. As long as you have one that doesn't think he knows everything, it's a good start.

Many times the symptoms you have can be either PD or the meds. A good pharmacist can help. I put everything we do to our pharmacist, so that we don't inadvertently take two medications or supplements that interact badly. My husband was given two medications that together could have caused serotonin syndrome

You will get some great advice and suggestions from this site. Just in case you don't know, if you click on the symbol next to a members post, it will take you to their posts.

A good start would be to read Chartist's posts. His knowledge and advice is amazing. He goes to a lot of trouble to pass it on to members and to make suggestions where he thinks it might help. His information on the B1 protocol is very extensive. It is worth a read.The B1 site on Facebook even refers members to him. That site is worth joining.

Our story on using mannitol is probably worth a read at some time.

One of the suggestions I also think is worth following up is to have your bloods checked, if it hasn't been done.

The one thing you won't feel is alone now that you are a member. The members here are very supportive and we do care about one another .

Keep us in the loop on how you get on and good luck

Gwendoline

[Griffin16 in reply to gwendolinej]

Thanks a million gwendolinej

[beehive23]

i have cognitive issues, phobias like afraid to go out into public, no risk taking like canyons cliffs etc no graphic vioolence etc on TV. no scarey movies.......cheers.

[bassofspades]

I dealt with this sort of thing. Ask your doctor if Trihexyphenidyl is right for you. I take 2mg in the morning and it helped quite a bit. The brand name is Artane. I use the generic. Good luck !

[PDFree]

Interesting you asked this. I never felt I had phobias to heights etc but since having PD heights petrify me also. A very steep mountain road, standing near the edge of a cliff, being in a tall building open to below. I too feel like I’m going to fall even though I’m really not falling. It is strange. My hands and feet are sweating profusely right now as I read and write this. If I read a scary story or watch a scary tv show my palms and bottom of my feet get drenched. In the dentist’ chair same thing. I don’t get the feeling sitting or standing with out those stimuli. I’m taking generic for sinemet 3x day for 3 years. Didn’t have this happen before that.