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To: YellowRoseofTx

Not exactly.

Off medication ("off state") people with parkinson's disease will have a tremor which occurs predominantly at rest and is reduced with movement. While typically thought of occuring in the hands, it can also occur in the legs and in the voice. Bradykinesia (or akinesia) is also present and is characterized by diminished amplitude of movements (shuffling gait, softer voice). Finally rigidity (cogwheel) is present.

In an excess dopaminergic ("on") state people can get dyskinesias (excessive movement) which can make the people appear to be restless or figity. They can also get hallucinations and confusion.

Part of the problem with advanced parkinsons is that the therapeutic range appears to narrow, especially on sinemet but this can also occur with the dopamine agonist meds as well. It becomes increasingly difficult to control the symptoms of the "off" state while avoiding the "on" state symptoms. Having treated some folks with PD, some of them do find the "on" state symptoms to be disturbing and prefer to be in a partially treated "off" state instead.

In Fox's case remember he does have a DBS (possibly two bilaterally implanted)


125 posted on 10/25/2006 7:15:56 AM PDT by NYorkerInHouston
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To: NYorkerInHouston

Yep, he has two.
I'm wondering if he's on a combo, if so, which ones.


177 posted on 10/25/2006 8:06:09 AM PDT by AliVeritas (We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Ben Franklin)
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