Parkinson disease and hallucinations

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2003

Have you asked his Doctor? Could his medications be the culprit? So sorry your brother is suffering from this disease.

BrandieRNq · Sep 3, 2003

I have seen hallucinations with Parkinsons a few times. The most common culprit is crushing the Sinemet and/or other meds. Also, some pt.'s attempt to chew which obviously is as good as crushing. What about the upper GI? Is he on an upper GI motility med? (ie; Reglan), this may increase the rate of absorbtion of Sinemet which is not how the drug is meant to work...

SherRN · Sep 3, 2003

The lovely couple I lost to Parkinsons did indeed have hallucinations. They both had snakes that came upon them. They died 4 years apart in the Long term care facility but they were affected the same way. Snakes that they both could see but not snakes that scared them. That was a blessing. My prayers for your brother. I also would like you to check the route of the Sinemet and the possibility of GI meds in conjunction with same

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 3, 2003

My father has hallucinations related to Parkinson's - they manifested the last time his Sinemet was increased. In his case they are rather benign - continually seeing a mouse running across the floor and feeling a nonexistent dog jump up on the bed at night, so since the increased dosage is helping other symptoms, he tolerates them. He told me the only problem is the imaginary bugs that crawl on his legs - about the time he tells himself it's a hallucination and tries to ignore it, a real fire ant bites him!

Nurse89 · Sep 3, 2003

I am so sorry to hear this.

How long has he been on the Seroquel?

I also wonder about any other meds he is taking that might affect the absorption rate of the Sinemet.

kids · Sep 3, 2003

I strongly suspect a medication as a cause of your brothers hallucinations also. Please discuss it with his doctor. Is he being treated/followed by a neurologist?

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2003

Yes I have seen this before both from medications and the illness.

renerian

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Sep 4, 2003

I also think it is the Sinamet, not the Parkinson's itself. Recent increase?

nurse@35 · Sep 4, 2003

hi

I am so sorry about your brothers illness. I have learned from dealing with patients who have suffered with this kind of illness sometimes doctors may have patients take medications that do not go with each other you may have to ask your doctors some serious questions in that regard .The types of food can also have an effect on medication speak candidly with your doctor.

Good_Queen_Bess · Sep 4, 2003

I work in neurology. The medication, such as sinemet can cause hallucinations, especially if the medication has been increased or changed. It can be very frightening for someone with this condition. A change in diet can help. Ask to see a Neurologist and a Parkinson's Disease Specialist Nurse if there is one for advice on management, symptom control and complimentory aids such as diet. Carer support is also important.

lucianne · Sep 4, 2003

Dementia is one of the effects of Parkinson's disease, but it's incidence is only about 2-3% for people of your brother's age. However, since he has had the disease so long it still might be disease-related. Parkinson's dementia is caused either by Lewy bodies in the brainstem or a combination of Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's type changes in the brain. Of course, with any dementia, the first thing to look at is medication and the second is infection (although he is young to be affected that way by infection--usually it happens with elderly).

luci