DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

 
Hi  Journal.
I've come to talk with you again.
Don' shoot the messenger.
 
 
I may possibly be shot down for this, yet I feel the need in me to mention and express myself, in view of this issue.
I have travelled with this confounded condition we call Parkinson's for fifteen years.
As we all do, I have experienced and endured, according to my temperament, most of the symptoms that have been thrown at me.
Learning something new everyday, I have taken on board and learned much from my treating clinicians. This has seen me in good stead.
Trusting and having complete confidence in my treating specialist neurologist, and in learning something new everyday, it is to this end that I have never been in a position where I have had the need to ask anyone other than my treating specialist about    my prescribed medications. 
In complying with his instructions on dosage and timing, he always knows where I am at on this issue.
He would most certainly take a dim view if I acted otherwise. Indeed my Parkinson's Nurse Specialist,    the formidable Nurse Janet, would have a fit if I self medicated and abused my medications. 
As we are all different and, are at differing stages, my medication regime  would not suit anyone other than myself, and vice versa.
The following is an extract taken from my local support's group news letter.
 
HI JOURNAL,
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
THIS IS AN EXTRACT TAKEN FROM MY LOCAL SUPPORT 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 a patient 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
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