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My wife is in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease (still need to fully confirm this!). Her most debilitating symptom seems to be continuous nausea with occasional episodes of dizziness. Her nausea, along with bouts of depression, keep her in bed almost totally. Her appetite is spotty and she has lost her sense of taste although her sense of smell is amazing.My questions: (1) are nausea and dizzness truly symptoms of Parkinson's?, (2) what is the most effective treatment for her nausea?, (3) is the battery-operated vibrating device called "ReliefBand" worn on the wrist and meant to interrupt signals which trigger nausea from reaching the brain real and would it be appropriate in my wife's case?

We live in Yuma, AZ, a town located between Phoenix and with limited neurological and gastro treatment. Can you recommed a clinic or Dr. in either city which could truly diagnose her case? We have been to Scripps in We are desperate for professional help!! Thanking you in advance, C.D

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 71

Already Tried:
Cannot recall-- from over-the-counter to prescriptions but yet to find one that works. She is very sensitive to medications.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

Did a doctor make a diagnosis of early Parkinson's? What did they tell you at Scripps? Did they prescribe any medicine and what tests did they perform? What other symptoms does she have? Any tremors? Headaches or earaches?

Paula

Edited by PaulaNP on March 4 2007 at 10:25 PM

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Scripps could not find anything physically wrong after cranial MRIs and CT scans. No medicine prescribed. Suggested follow-up with psychiatrist/psychologist--nothing productive from that approach. Does have periodic headaches (once per week on the average) treated successfully with one dosage of Tylenol. Does have occasional tremors mostly once or twice per night. Since no test (we are told) exists for Parkinson's, we are relying on her displayed symptoms. In the past, her neurologist had been treating her depression with no success primarily because of strong negative side effects. Within the past week, we have initiated treatment for Parkinson's with a first week dosage of 0.25 mg. of Requip to double in the subsequent 2 weeks, effects to be reviewed after 30 days. Since start of regimen, wife complains of dry mouth. Currently she is limited to taking the Requip and Diltiazem for high blood pressure.

Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

Deb, my colleague, has given you the link to the Mayo and she is right that it would be worth a trip there, take all of the test results and films that you can get with you.

As for her profound depression, it would be worth speaking to psychiatrist who has a specialty in pharmacology-she may need a mix of medications to balance her chemistry out. The Menninger Clinic doctors are experts in neuro-psychiatric problems, and that would be my first appointment, if I had the ability to go there-Houston-

http://www.menningerclinic.com/about/affiliations.htm

Requip can cause dry mouth and has other side effects such as tremors or initial worsening of Parkonism. I am giving you a link to read, if you think she is worse on the drug, consult with the prescribing MD for his advice:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR203364

As to the nausea, Emetrol is sold over the counter for nausea. You can also use Seabands which control motion sickness-nausea and dizzyness. They are wrist straps that put pressure on the accupressure point that controls nausea. Ginger is also a great nausea treatment.You can use the spice mixed in water or buy ginger caps at a health food store-like Whole Foods or maybe GNC. Cola syrup also is good for nausea-old time drug stores used to carry this. You could uncork a bottle of Coke and let it sit for 20 minutes to get rid of the bubbles and let her sip on the cola. You could do the same with a bottle of gingerale. Here is some other info:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nausea/DG00019

http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/parkenson.htm

http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/depression.htm

I hope these suggestions help you and your wife. She is lucky to have you to help her.
Thank you for writing JA and take care, Paula

I was wondering if she had migraines, but there would be more headaches or Meniere's disease but there would be more vertigo.
Take her to one of the specialty hospitals mentioned above, I think you will find an answer.

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