Parkinson's or bipolar or both PLEASE help!

lovdabluz · 06-02-2008, 07:21 PM

Hi, I am new to this board. My husband was diagnosed with bipolar disorder May of 2006. We tried several BP meds and none were very successful. He originally had manic symptoms after being put on Wellbutrin by a sleep disorder doc who referred us to psy doc. Long story short he spent a lot of money, said and did a lot of things I am still trying to forgive him for. He was hospitalized Jan 2007 because he was suicidal (related to the excessive spending that put a strain on our company). They began Lithium and he seemed to improve.

They tried to get him off of the lithium because of the side effects (tremor), he was put on Abilify, this was not good for the depression. Then they tried Invega, He was confused, shuffling, drooling it was sooooo bad. PDoc said we were running out of options.

So, thats the background - fast forward to present, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease April 2008 in Houston (we saw a p-doc, internal medicine doc and a neurologist). After 2 years we got a diagnosis and a prescription for Sinemet 25/100 3x day. After reading a little about PD I am recognizing some of the symptoms the docs attributed to medication side effects (lithium - tremor) The sinemet is helping but now he is sleeping all the time. He says he is not depressed. He is still on the lithium and also takes cymbalta for depression. I don't know what else to do? He hasn't been to work in 2 weeks. Goes to bed at 9 and sleeps until noon or sometimes 1 or 2 pm the next day. We are self employed and I am depending on employees WAY too much, the boss is sleeping! Have any of you had experience with this? Anyone have dual diagnosis? Is it possible to have both? Does neurologist typically prescribe psy meds? Or do we need to find another pdoc to take care of the psy meds?

I am sorry for all the questions but I really don't know if this is normal in parkinsons patients or do I need to call the doctor(which one)?

Thanks in advance for your response, Denise

lovdabluz · 06-03-2008, 10:06 PM

Can someone please help me? I called the neurologist and he is sending him for bloodwork and based on those results he will adjust the meds or add "Provigil" my spelling might be off. Have any of you had excessive daytime sleepiness, what did they do about it?

jacq1799 · 07-23-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovdabluz

Can someone please help me? I called the neurologist and he is sending him for bloodwork and based on those results he will adjust the meds or add "Provigil" my spelling might be off. Have any of you had excessive daytime sleepiness, what did they do about it?

Hello, Denise. I have just joined this message board and was reading through past posts and came across yours. I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. My Dad is in the process of being formally diagnosed for PD. He was originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder and an extremely manic episode and was hospitalized, began seeing a psychiatrist and was placed in medication. Within a couple of months, we began seeing the slowed movements, shuffle, stare, and drawn expression which are his symptoms of PD (he has no tremors). His psychiatrist sent him to a neurologist this week. The neurologist is considering Parkinson's and sent him for an MRI, which is scheduled for next week. The neurologist started him on Azilect. Your post caught my attention because of the bipolar disorder coming before the PD. I am wondering how your husband is doing and if you have learned anything new since you last wrote to the board in June. I have been keeping my fingers crossed that my father's symptoms are medication-induced parkinsonism from the several medication that were given to my father while hospitalized and treated for his bipolar disorder. I would appreciate any information or experiences and am happy to share mine. Thank you, Jacquie

jennymark · 08-14-2008, 02:34 AM

The neurologist started him on Azilect. Your post caught my attention because of the bipolar disorder coming before the PD. I am wondering how your husband is doing and if you have learned anything new since you last wrote to the board in June. I have been keeping my fingers crossed that my father's symptoms are medication-induced parkinsonism from the several medication that were given to my father while hospitalized and treated for his bipolar disorder.

Ovarian Cysts

alicia62 · 10-03-2008, 03:04 PM

I am 46 years old and last June I was diagnosed with ptsd and bipolar. I was on Lithium also. I have been off the medication since Feb of this year and have no more episodes of ptsd or bipolar, but I was diagnosed this past week with PD. It started with shuffling of the left foot and taking baby steps, no arm swing, writing skills getting really bad, now it has moved to the right side of my body too. I am always tired. Balance is getting bad.