DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
HI JOURNAL,
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
THIS IS AN EXTRACT TAKEN FROM MY LOCAL SPPORT GROUP'S
NEWS LETTER FOR AUGUST 2012.
WRITTEN BY PARKINSON'S NURSE SPECIALIST JANET MCLEOD.
Parkinson's is a condition which has a different presentation for each person with the diagnosis. It makes sense therefore that each person with have a medication treatment unique to their symptoms.This is one reason why we recommend that everyone with Parkinson's is managed medicaly by a consultant with expertise in the condition and its treatment.The knowledge gained through medical training and years of treating people with Parkinson's equips the specialist to be alert for possible and probable side effects.The medications used in Parkinson's work at a very deep level in the brain and the potential for physical and emotional side effects is as individualised as the condition itself. lt is essential to treat these medications with respect.Even with many years experience in nursing people with Parkinson's, I would not suggest to apatient that they increase or change their medication doses or regime. This is the jurisdiction of the medical practitioner and falls under the Poisons Act and only someone registered as a medicaI practitioner is Legally covered in this area.I have always been concerned that conversations regarding medication treatment options have been taking place and to a certain extent this is understandabte athough not recommended.ln recent times it has come to my notice that more specific 'orders' have been given by Lay people to increase levodopa doses and this has had unfortunate repercussions.My belief is that each person with a diagnosis of Parkinson's should become familiar with their own unique presentation and becomes a partner with their medical team (including their nurse speciaList).This does not translate to trying to treat other people with the condition without the knowledge, expertise and qualifications.Janet Mcleod
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
THIS IS AN EXTRACT TAKEN FROM MY LOCAL SPPORT GROUP'S
NEWS LETTER FOR AUGUST 2012.
WRITTEN BY PARKINSON'S NURSE SPECIALIST JANET MCLEOD.
Parkinson's is a condition which has a different presentation for each person with the diagnosis. It makes sense therefore that each person with have a medication treatment unique to their symptoms.This is one reason why we recommend that everyone with Parkinson's is managed medicaly by a consultant with expertise in the condition and its treatment.The knowledge gained through medical training and years of treating people with Parkinson's equips the specialist to be alert for possible and probable side effects.The medications used in Parkinson's work at a very deep level in the brain and the potential for physical and emotional side effects is as individualised as the condition itself. lt is essential to treat these medications with respect.Even with many years experience in nursing people with Parkinson's, I would not suggest to apatient that they increase or change their medication doses or regime. This is the jurisdiction of the medical practitioner and falls under the Poisons Act and only someone registered as a medicaI practitioner is Legally covered in this area.I have always been concerned that conversations regarding medication treatment options have been taking place and to a certain extent this is understandabte athough not recommended.ln recent times it has come to my notice that more specific 'orders' have been given by Lay people to increase levodopa doses and this has had unfortunate repercussions.My belief is that each person with a diagnosis of Parkinson's should become familiar with their own unique presentation and becomes a partner with their medical team (including their nurse speciaList).This does not translate to trying to treat other people with the condition without the knowledge, expertise and qualifications.Janet Mcleod
Replies
Indeed. The key is in the statement that... \"each person with a Dx of pd should become familiar with their own unique presentation.\" Not right to shoot messengers, but smart protocol to challenge them.
Cheers!
Beekeeper