August 2010
Dear Wellness Member,
Medicines play a significant role in your health and wellbeing with Parkinson’s disease. It is important to know what medicines you are on, what is expected to change with this medicine, and its side effects. Your medicines may change over the years so it is very important to keep track of medicines you have taken, how they worked and any side effects that you may experience. This helps avoid future complications.
This series reviews the current medicines designed to help you move better.
Medicines for Movement series includes:
● Common Medicines for Parkinson’s. Understand the various medication options and how they work.
● Side effects to watch out for. This article reviews the more common dopaminergic side effects you should be aware of.
● Medicine Pipeline. Dr. Melanie Brandabur from the Parkinson’s Institute in California reviews promising medication research.
● Medication Safety and Management. Follow these steps to keep track of your medicines and improve your care over the years and if hospitalized.
- Know your medicines. Down load this simple program that helps you keep track of your pills by name, size dose and look.
- Tips to reduce medicine errors.
Join us next month as we explore cognitive health in Sharpen Your Pencils.
Best of health,
Monique L. Giroux, MD
Medical Director, Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation