Down The Slippery Medication Road - Part 2

Map from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127164022.htm
Red areas on the map indicate a prevalence of 13,800 or more Parkinson's patients per 100,000 Medicare recipients.

Hi Friends,

I happened on this map when searching for Images.  Thought it was very interesting.   I do live on the Eastern edge of WI on the Bay of Green Bay (part of Lake Michigan).   There is a lot of red in this area for whatever it's worth)

Yesterday I talked about the change in the dosage that the doctor ordered.   Well, would you believe that two hours after I had taken the first pill of the new dose I felt like I was on a much stronger dosage, even tho it supposedly was equal to two of the earlier pills..   I then called the pharmacy and ask if the dosage was right and "should it equal 2 of my old pills.  

The reply was "not always exact."  Even tho the medication was essentially  doubled into the new pill (.5 MG) it does not always mean the ingredients are exactly the same.   There might have been some other additive in the new strength, some tiny ingredient that can cause the patient to POSSIBLY feel it.   I swear, it was NOT my imagination!  I then talked to a friend on Twitter who is a chemist in a drug company in another city - she confirmed what the pharmacist said.  Doubling the strength into one pill from two does not always equal the exact same thing.  In other words - 1 + 1 does not always = 2!  No wonder I had trouble in math in high school.    It's the same thing when you use a generic version of a drug.   They are close, but NOT always EXACT!

As the old saying goes - "You are never too old to learn something new every day."  I certainly learned something new on this day.

I'm still taking the new dosage as the doctor prescribed, but it certainly feels to me like it's stronger. Usually within an hour after taking the drug, I get tired, very tired. Unless I'm mentally stimulated, I could easily fall asleep. It's no wonder I fall asleep so easily now at bedtime, but also wake up around 2:30 to 4:00 in the morning - wide eyed and ready to start the day. I don't know what the answer is or even if there is an answer. I'm still better off on this drug than the first combination - at least I can still function some of the time.

I can't wait to talk to the doctor's nurse practitioner in another week or two at my next appointment.

On a side note, I had lunch yesterday wtih a very dear friend - Olive Garden for soup, salad, and breadsticks.  It sure was good and so nice to catch up with my friend again.

Until next time friends when I'll talk about side effects (if I can stay awake that long - he he). 

Mary

Mary