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Type 2 Diabetic, Sudden Drop In Sugar Levels, Unconscious. On Medication For Parkinson's. How To Confirm ?
My 84 year old Father has been being treated for Type 2 Diabetes for approx. 7 years. About a year ago he began medication for Parkinsons. Last week his blood sugar levels dropped to 37 and he became unconscious. My main concerns are many. First, you must understand too that my Dad is not overweight, regularly exercised and was very active for a man his age. I am now his medical agent and we have an appointment with his doctor on Monday. First and major concern is I don't believe he has Parkinsons. Are there decisives tests that can be taken for Parkinsons. Secondly, he is currently on nine medications which concerns me with respect to drug interactions as well as if he even needs to continue taking some of them. Listed below are the medications he is currently on:
carbidopa levodopa 25 -100 tabs
febuxostat 40 mg
ferrous sulfate 325
glipizide 5 mg
hydralazine 50 mg
isosorbide mononitrate 120 mg
losartan 50 mg
metoprolol succinate 100 mg
nifedipine 30 mg
He takes one tablet of each every day!!!!
His vitals were taken twice at the Emergency room after treatment with an iv to raise his sugar levels.
They were Temp 94.5 and 96.7
Resp. 16 and 16
Pulse 50 and 53
BP 150/66 125/69
SpO2 98% and 99%
He has always had a tremor in his right arm due to extensive nerve damage in an industrial accident when he was a young man. He almost lost his arm. I am not a doctor but he does not have a shuffle when he walks and he is very alert and still handles all of his own affairs. I believe some of the episodes he has had this past year such as no energy, diahrea, and shakiness are due to the sugar levels and drug interactions not Parkinsons. He does not shake all the time. His damaged arm has always shaken. Can you please give me a little guidance as to how to pursue his medical issues in the future and get him off some of these medications. What should I do first? Also, could you please let me know the possible drug interference symptoms he may have due to all the drugs he is on. He was once also diagnosed with pernicious anemia and was taking Vitamin B12 injections which he has since stopped taking.
carbidopa levodopa 25 -100 tabs
febuxostat 40 mg
ferrous sulfate 325
glipizide 5 mg
hydralazine 50 mg
isosorbide mononitrate 120 mg
losartan 50 mg
metoprolol succinate 100 mg
nifedipine 30 mg
He takes one tablet of each every day!!!!
His vitals were taken twice at the Emergency room after treatment with an iv to raise his sugar levels.
They were Temp 94.5 and 96.7
Resp. 16 and 16
Pulse 50 and 53
BP 150/66 125/69
SpO2 98% and 99%
He has always had a tremor in his right arm due to extensive nerve damage in an industrial accident when he was a young man. He almost lost his arm. I am not a doctor but he does not have a shuffle when he walks and he is very alert and still handles all of his own affairs. I believe some of the episodes he has had this past year such as no energy, diahrea, and shakiness are due to the sugar levels and drug interactions not Parkinsons. He does not shake all the time. His damaged arm has always shaken. Can you please give me a little guidance as to how to pursue his medical issues in the future and get him off some of these medications. What should I do first? Also, could you please let me know the possible drug interference symptoms he may have due to all the drugs he is on. He was once also diagnosed with pernicious anemia and was taking Vitamin B12 injections which he has since stopped taking.
Thu, 22 Aug 2013
Hello,
I would answer your querries one by one.
1.. As far as parkinson disease is concerned,there is no lab test which can diagnose Parkinsonism and it is diagnosed entirely by medical history and a neurological examination.You can consult a neurologist and take his opinion.
2... As far as his hypoglycemia is concerned,he has had only one episode of hypoglycemia.Tjis may be possible due to some liver disorder or diabetic nephroparpthy or it could be even due to him not taking his meal and taking the anti diabetic medicine.Get him tested for kidney or liver disorders.
3...his pulse rate is slow so metoprolol can be reduced,but Amy other change has to come from his treating doctor only.Get him tested for electrolyte imbalance also.
4... Since he is a case of pernicious anaemia,injection VIT B 12 once a month is much more important.
5.. If his iron content of blood are all right,then ferrous sulfate can be prescribed once a week rather than giving it daily.
Please discuss with your treating doctor for this.
Thanks
I would answer your querries one by one.
1.. As far as parkinson disease is concerned,there is no lab test which can diagnose Parkinsonism and it is diagnosed entirely by medical history and a neurological examination.You can consult a neurologist and take his opinion.
2... As far as his hypoglycemia is concerned,he has had only one episode of hypoglycemia.Tjis may be possible due to some liver disorder or diabetic nephroparpthy or it could be even due to him not taking his meal and taking the anti diabetic medicine.Get him tested for kidney or liver disorders.
3...his pulse rate is slow so metoprolol can be reduced,but Amy other change has to come from his treating doctor only.Get him tested for electrolyte imbalance also.
4... Since he is a case of pernicious anaemia,injection VIT B 12 once a month is much more important.
5.. If his iron content of blood are all right,then ferrous sulfate can be prescribed once a week rather than giving it daily.
Please discuss with your treating doctor for this.
Thanks
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