DEAR DR. GOTT: I have Parkinson’s disease and have a great deal of saliva. I take two kinds of drugs — ropinirole and carbidopa/levodopa — and wonder if they are necessary.
DEAR READER: Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder with a myriad of symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, depression, memory loss, cramped handwriting, tremor, rigidity, gait abnormalities, lack of facial expression and sense of smell, and more. Postural instability develops as the disease progresses. Excess saliva is uncommon, but each person experiences different symptoms, so I won’t unequivocally dismiss any involvement with your diagnosis.
Current research indicates that symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are related to depletion or low levels of dopamine in the brain. Ropinirole is a central-nervous-system agent with some of the same effects as dopamine. Carbidopa and levodopa work in combination. Carbidopa helps to prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it reaches the brain. Then the levodopa kicks in and converts to dopamine once it gets there.
You may have been placed on the ropinirole in addition to your carbidopa/levodopa because the combination drug alone did not control your Parkinson’s symptoms satisfactorily. I urge you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding your treatment with the prescribing physician. You should also be under the care of a neurologist familiar with treating Parkinson’s disease.
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