Experience with Scopolamine?

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone here have experience with the med scopalamine for drying up excess

oral secretions in Parkinson's Disease with Lewy? Our internist noticed the

copious drooling my DH had the last visit and suggested that for the nasty

appearing drooling Bob has.  Is it safe for Lewy patients?  Thanks in advance

for your help.

Pat

[Guest guest]

> Does anyone here have experience with the med scopalamine for drying up excess

oral secretions in Parkinson's Disease with Lewy? Our internist noticed the

copious drooling my DH had the last visit and suggested that for the nasty

appearing drooling Bob has.  Is it safe for Lewy patients?  Thanks in advance

for your help.

I have no experience with Scopolamine for Parkinsons or Lewy Body

patients. I do have some experience, personal and second-hand for

Scopolamine as an anti-emetic (motion sickness prevention). The

personal experience is increased imagination - not quite

hallucinogenic, because I knew I was imagining things, but great

day-dreams. The second-hand experience was a friend who was on watch

on a long sailboat race, talking to the witch at the end of the boom.

His shipmates tied him up below so he didn't do anything really

seriously dangerous. It's a significantly active neurological drug

which I would not take for anything short of a life-threatening

disease. ....

Best regards,

Ann

[Guest guest]

I have asked for that Rx for my patient's who are actively dying. It's so

difficult for the families to have to watch and hear the death rattle. That's

the only time I ever ask for it for my patients. It does dry them out and I

always use sponge swabs with that. It helps put back a little moisture in their

mouths. 

To: LBDcaregivers

Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 9:16 PM

Subject: Re: Experience with Scopolamine?

 

> Does anyone here have experience with the med scopalamine for drying up excess

oral secretions in Parkinson's Disease with Lewy? Our internist noticed the

copious drooling my DH had the last visit and suggested that for the nasty

appearing drooling Bob has.  Is it safe for Lewy patients?  Thanks in advance

for your help.

I have no experience with Scopolamine for Parkinsons or Lewy Body

patients. I do have some experience, personal and second-hand for

Scopolamine as an anti-emetic (motion sickness prevention). The

personal experience is increased imagination - not quite

hallucinogenic, because I knew I was imagining things, but great

day-dreams. The second-hand experience was a friend who was on watch

on a long sailboat race, talking to the witch at the end of the boom.

His shipmates tied him up below so he didn't do anything really

seriously dangerous. It's a significantly active neurological drug

which I would not take for anything short of a life-threatening

disease. ....

Best regards,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Pat,

You may know that scopolamine is anticholinergic. Such meds are generally to be

avoided in those with dementia. Probably the only time I would use the

scopolamine patch in someone with dementia is when they are on their death bed

and that would be if the secretions are terrible.

Robin

>

> Hi Everyone,

> Does anyone here have experience with the med scopalamine for drying up excess

oral secretions in Parkinson's Disease with Lewy? Our internist noticed the

copious drooling my DH had the last visit and suggested that for the nasty

appearing drooling Bob has.  Is it safe for Lewy patients?  Thanks in advance

for your help.

> Pat

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Since my Mom, at this late stage of LBD, has gagging or choking episodes from

not swallowing enough or from saliva pooling, I was searching for something that

could help. (Please note: This seems to happen most as she is awakening, as if

she didn't swallow enough while sleeping or more saliva pools during that time.)

Scopolamine was recommended by an expert LBD doctor whom I trust. He said to

try it. As side effects might not be as bad as chocking, I did. Scopolamine

comes in a patch form and is generally used for prevent sea sickness. A patch

is be put beyond the ear and lasts for three days. Now for my experience with

my Mom: Within the next few hours, my Mom was more quiet than usual. Because

she cannot speak and tell me what she feels, I need to keep observing. Bottom

line: I left it on for just over 24 hours, hesitating most of the time. Her

eyes were different. She was much less responsive (meaning she did not even try

to say one word--or couldn't. I didn't like the way she looked (spacey). I

could tell that it absolutely didn't agree with her. The very strange thing is

that she hardly had a choking experts for these last two months since then!!

Last night she had three different small episodes. I'm thinking about trying it

again for a few hours and removing it. Will advise if I do.