2023-05-08 02:58:51
A patient with Parkinson’s disease started running in the clinic and asked excitedly, “Doctor, can I stop taking medicine?” It is not uncommon for patients to want to stop taking medicine following their symptoms improve. The attending physician of Neurology Department of Guangtian Hospital Wu Yuci pointed out that because taking the medicine can move freely, stopping the medicine will easily cause the blood drug concentration to fluctuate, which is not conducive to the control of the disease.
>>> Parkinson’s patient: My symptoms have improved, can I stop taking medicine?
Currently, drugs for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease are divided into two categories: levodopa and dopamine receptor agonists. Only by supplementing and maintaining the concentration of dopamine in the blood can normal life functions be maintained.
Usually, patients with obvious symptoms such as hand tremors and slow movements are mainly treated with levodopa, but the drug effect will fluctuate in the long run, and excessive drug concentration will cause dyskinesia, and the patient’s hands, feet or body will twist involuntarily If the concentration is too low, the body will suddenly lose power and “freeze”, and the consciousness is clear but unable to move. It is very dangerous to be stuck in the middle of the road with many cars, so it is very important to return to the doctor regularly to adjust the medicine.
Some patients think that their physical condition has improved following taking the medicine, so they will not return to the clinic or stop the medicine on their own. Therefore, Wu Yuci will first conduct health education with family members and patients, emphasizing that Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain disease. Medication is only to control symptoms rather than cure them. Taking medicine regularly can lead a normal life, no different from ordinary people. She will also ask the patient to record the changes in the body following taking the medicine, as a follow-up adjustment of the medicine and other treatment plans.
Except for obvious motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, some patients may have non-motor symptoms such as depression and sleep disturbance. Wu Yuci shared that Brother Lin, a patient in his 70s, is interested in Chinese ink painting. He is especially good at painting delicate techniques such as tigers, flowers and birds. With medication and the company of his family, his condition was gradually controlled, and he regained his paintbrush with a smile on his face.
Depression or emotional instability are also common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Wu Yuci will observe the patient’s mood changes during the consultation. “Sometimes let the patient express his emotions, and the doctor plays the role of listening.” She said that the patient’s inner things You may not want to talk to your family members. Only when a sense of trust is built between doctors and patients will patients be willing to talk and help stabilize their condition. “Neurologists must be patient and communicate more.”
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