Parkinsons Q&A

What can my grandfather take for a sinus head ache, when he takes medication for parkinsons?

Please help. My grandfather is having a lot of trouble. He went to the drug store to get over the counter medication since it is 11 pm here. But when we got home we relized he cannot take it. Since he is on medication for his parkinsons. I need to know what medication he can take that will not have any negative side effects with his current medication. Please help. Thanks

Public Comments

1. Anything people without Parkinsons take for a sinus headache. There is no concern about interactions with OTC pain relievers Maybe next time ask the pharmacist while you are still in the store.
2. Here's a link to a lot of good information. Good luck. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sinus-headaches/DS00647 You can ask the pharmacist for drug interactions. Make sure you have a list of the drugs he is taking.
3. Easy, get a "hot water bottle" like the ones used by older people when they get cold feet at night, they are about $10.00 in Walgreen's and fill it up with hot water, put the bag on top of his head for a few minutes until the head ache is gone, I do that every time I have a sinus head ache and it works like a charm and it is 100% natural.
4. Wow that can be an unpleasant surprise but this is a problem. I share that issue when I go grocery shopping, when shopping for OTCs for my husband.. One does have to be aware of drug interactions for PD Not all Parkinson's disease medications are the same so to determine the best answer to your question we would need to know if your grandfather was taking a dopaminergic, an MAO inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, a dopamine antagonist, a COMT inhibitor or an anticholeringeric. That said, if your Grandfather is taking a drug such as Selegiline- eldepryl (MAO-B inhibitors) he cannot take anything with pseudoephedrine in it - and that is a common ingredient. http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages/askthedoctor/sinus.htm He can use a saline nasal solution although I don't find those that effective. Another thing to consider is a vaporizer - Eucalyptus is an effective additive to assist breathing. It can be used alone or with camphor and menthol. Being able to breathe easily is often a problem which impairs sleep for PD patients. There are also eucalyptus room sprays which can be used. Another vaporizer additive would be vinegar. Despite to salad aroma, this is an excellent natural aid to addressing symptoms and causing the sinuses to drain: http://www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cider_vinegar_health_benefits.php You are correct, he cannot take just anything so if in doubt, pick out a handful of medications and take them to the pharmacy and ask them to look up the contraindications. You must already have the list of everything your Grandfather is currently taking. It's good to keep this list updated because sometimes there will be supplements which won't appear on a prescription list and sometimes there are prescriptions for other conditions which might not be on the PD list. In the future, whenever your Grandfather is considering an OTC (over-the-counter medication) he should take it to the pharmacy counter for review. Scroll down the next link for a sample of possible drug interactions under the heading: What other drugs will affect carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa? http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-carbidopa_entacapone_and_levodopa/article_em.htm The medicine info for the product you are considering should indicate if there is a contraindication with an ingredient. But often there is no complete list on the packaging. Which is why it needs to be pulled up online - don't expect that the pharmacist will know it all off the top of the head. You grandfather should also consider some high quality anti-oxidants as well as Vitamin D3 for both the Parkinson's and to assist in strengthening his immune system. A nice cup of green or black tea with honey will also soothe his throat as well as providing antioxidants with the health benefits of honey. Just one thing about honey - you should always buy local honey if you are looking for health benefits. You can read about it below: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-organic-locally-grown-raw-honey/ There are also some acupressure points that can help relieve blocked sinuses I like the ones at the side of the bridge of the nose and the one just between the upper lip and below the nose. There are also forehead points and a good one on either side of the cervical spine at the back of the head. http://www.ehow.com/how_2090862_use-acupressure-points-sinus-relief.html The next links are to natural sinus remedies and sinus massage techniques: http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/natural-sinus-remedies.html If used in combination these points can be very effective: http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/free-face-exercises.html It is wonderful that you are involved with your Grandfather's care. I hope you will continue to be informed about his condition.