Parkisonian Crisis question - please help!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 31, 2009

parkinsonian crisis is the exaggeration of the characteristics of parkinsonism associated with acute anxiety. (http://www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/394.html). i would look at anxiety as being a complication of the parkinson's.

http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/parkinsons/anxietypd.html - anxiety and parkinson's disease
http://www.fpnotebook.com/neuro/tremor/prknsnsds.htm - pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, diagnosis and management of parkinson's
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1151267-overview

loricatus · May 31, 2009

Simplified (and not from the first thing that a google search would produce) is that it is a stressor related exacerbation of the motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's. Stressors can be physical (infection, extremes of temperature, traumas,disease proeccesses, sudden withdrawal of medications...) or psychological-whatever that can produce the stress hormones to activate.

FYI-Had relatives with Parkinson's and have worked neuro ICU, if you wish to qualify my post

pcrnin2010 · May 31, 2009

Thank you Daytonite and loricatus.....you both have been tremendously helpful and I value your input!!

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jun 1, 2009

We learned in our Pharmacology class that a Parkinsonian Crisis may occur when the client abruptly stops their medications. If they desire to stop or go on a drug holiday, they need to be weaned off (i.e. their dosages slowly tapered over time). Sometimes drug holidays are ideal to help improve the client's response and manage the complications related to L-dopa therapy.

loricatus · Jun 1, 2009

We learned in our Pharmacology class that a Parkinsonian Crisis may occur when the client abruptly stops their medications. If they desire to stop or go on a drug holiday, they need to be weaned off (i.e. their dosages slowly tapered over time). Sometimes drug holidays are ideal to help improve the client's response and manage the complications related to L-dopa therapy.

Yes. And what it think (do not have anything to cite) is that when stress hormones are activated, it can increase metabolism of the drugs.

judybsn · Feb 16, 2011

Look up Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and you will find lots of info on it.

Image2099 · Dec 10, 2011

Wow 6 replies. and no one answered the question....

Parkisonian Crisis is basically a condition that mimics Parkinson's disease, hence the name. It mostly occurs in individuals with Parkinson disease when the abruptly stop their meds. Its simply the drastic decline in dopamine causing the muscle rigidity and tremors found in people who have the disease. Keep in mind the tremors come from the abundance of ACH in the brain.

Hopefully you can infer that the other posts are only possible if dopamine levels are affected but in NO WAY represent what Parkinsonian Crisis actually IS i.e. PC being about anxiety. Muscle Rigidity is common in a lot of other situations. PC is mostly related the situation stated above.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2011

Wow 6 replies. and no one answered the question....
Parkisonian Crisis is basically a condition that mimics Parkinson's disease, hence the name. It mostly occurs in individuals with Parkinson disease when the abruptly stop their meds. Its simply the drastic decline in dopamine causing the muscle rigidity and tremors found in people who have the disease. Keep in mind the tremors come from the abundance of ACH in the brain.
Hopefully you can infer that the other posts are only possible if dopamine levels are affected but in NO WAY represent what Parkinsonian Crisis actually IS i.e. PC being about anxiety. Muscle Rigidity is common in a lot of other situations. PC is mostly related the situation stated above.

The thread is 2 years old. :idea:

Image2099 · Dec 10, 2011

Thanks for providing meaning to having replied to a 2yr old post.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2011

Thanks for providing meaning to having replied to a 2yr old post.

I do it all the time... You're welcome:D