Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Tremors When Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease
Question: I have parkinson's disease. i am 58. I only had mild infrequent tremors before taking amantadine. a few weeks after taking amantadine the tremors, mostly in my left leg started getting worse. then i started developing rapid breathing, increase in tremors severity, strange sensations and now shaking of my whole body. My psychiatrist thinks its panic atta cks related to the amantadine. my neurologist thinks its withdrawal symptoms because my sinemet is wearing off and my last dose of sinemet at about 7 at night wears off very quickly and then i am enveloped by all these scary symptoms. What do you think?
Brief Answer:
Possibility of dose related side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
The symptoms of parkinsons disease increase with time and less responsive to treatment.
Amantadine is usually given for tremors in parkinsons disease but may aggravate tremors in some.
Another possibility is on and off phenomenon or peak dose dyskinesia.
As you are taking higher doses you need to time it well.
Liquid levodopa formulation can be used for drug related side effects.
You can also be in regular follow up of the treating neurologist for dose adjustment.
Amantadine can be stopped to look for any relief.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of dose related side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
The symptoms of parkinsons disease increase with time and less responsive to treatment.
Amantadine is usually given for tremors in parkinsons disease but may aggravate tremors in some.
Another possibility is on and off phenomenon or peak dose dyskinesia.
As you are taking higher doses you need to time it well.
Liquid levodopa formulation can be used for drug related side effects.
You can also be in regular follow up of the treating neurologist for dose adjustment.
Amantadine can be stopped to look for any relief.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
After I titrate down to 0 Amantadine how quickly, assuming it is the culprit should I see some type of positive effect?
Brief Answer:
Take treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You can taper down and stop in 3-4 days.
The side effects related to drug should improve in a week after stopping drug.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Take treatment as advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You can taper down and stop in 3-4 days.
The side effects related to drug should improve in a week after stopping drug.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
