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My Partner takes Ropinerol twice a day. We saw the doctor today and he increased the dose to TWO twice a day. What a day! We had two doctor appts scheduled same clinic. The first doctor was 45 minutes late calling us in. Then we are in the office where my partner is in a special chair and it is hurting his tailbone. They were going to do a EMG test. FINALLY the doctor came in and I could tell he was rushing. He had been told that we have the Parkinson appt at 3:30 and he is already 1 hour late to see us. DAMMIT I was mad. He had to quit the test early and said he would set another time for the second half. We then waited to be called to see the Parkinson doctor who now has taken another patient since we were LATE. We wait 30 minutes to get into him. He is GREAT and got us out within about 20 minutes. I was so upset as my Partner was in such pain and there seemed to be no caring about his pain. The first doctor had a starbuck coffee in his hand when he came in. The Starbucks is about 4 blocks from the clinic. This told me he could care less and took a long lunch and coffee.

He is planning on a hip shot and two back shots at the surgery center in about 1 1/2 weeks. BUT, the scheduling is being held up by the Radiologists as they are having a hard time getting together. UGH! Does anyone care that my Partner 89 years old is in pain????

Thanks for listening and my complaining. SORRY

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The "wheelchair" you'd look for is called a "lightweight transport chair" at $80-$150. Available on Amazon, Walgreens. Used ones on Craig's List or try a retirement community's classifieds/paper if you have one near you. It should be a relief for you and your partner on days like this. We were able to take my 6' 2" Dad out so much more, sometimes just to the park, and make it to appointments much more quickly/reliably. I'm so sorry to hear of your day and your trials. We got one after my Dad collapsed on an icy sidewalk and some similar angels ran to help us get him up. One was in a passing car and turned around and stopped to help. A "how am I going to do this?" day yet full of helpers when we most needed. We were on the way to sign my Dads POA to me since my mom had just died. So full of emotion. You're amazing. Strength and love.
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What about a wheelchair when he has to go to the doctor?
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Your question isn't really about the Ropinerole at all--you just need to be heard and to vent, which is why we are all here. I think Ropinerole is used in Parkinson's and I know it's prescribed for restless leg syndrome. Does come with a TON of side effects, but if it is helping with the tremor & shakes, and depending on the dose he was taking, to have it upped quite a bit is not unusual. Maybe the dr wanted to see how it was tolerated and just put him at a therapeutic dosage. You need to ask this stuff, we don't know :) You don't mention how long he has been on it...I agree with the post that said a wheelchair will make transport a lot easier. And no matter how young or strong you are, when a person starts to crumple, they're going to go down like a ton of cement..no matter how frail they seem. Sounds like a long day with drs and a frustrating one. And I also doubt the dr went to a long lunch....(I am a little sensitive to the "dr doesn't listen" scenario--I have 2 kids who are drs and they tell a whole different story about patients--and about the stresses they as docs are under, to see more patients)....maybe don't schedule 2 drs appts in one day. That would be hard for a healthy person. And yes, you can get the oval pillows online or through a pharmacy or specialty store--where you can also get a wheelchair. The idea to get some outside help is a good one. Good luck to you. If you really have questions about the Ropinerole, call the drs office back or ask the pharmacist. THEY know more about the drugs than the drs do.
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This is an awesome place for all of us caregivers to vent and unload what we keep inside ... there are days when all I want to do is scream when I've had enough; then I come on here and vent...afterwards I feel refreshed and ready to go again. This is great therapy, inexpensive, can do in privacy of your own home and is worth a million bucks to me !!! Whew !!! I always, always feel better...even if i don't get any responses back, it still fixes me emotionally...thanks everyone !!! :)
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Oregongirl (and others), I hope you feel you're getting the ear, the answers, and the support you came for. You're giving the same for others (like me) with your replies. I'm sorry again for what you're going through on every level, and you've already been through a lot. I'm glad for the comforts where he and you can find them, and that you have had a positive experience (all things considered) with hospice with your mother. Your partner sounds quite lucky to have you with him on this journey. I ask forgiveness for the times grace and the right words escaped me or that judgment came too quickly in a particular moment, as it happens to us all, and I believe caregiving comes back ten-fold to those who do it with compassion, which you clearly have.
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Oregon, i hear your frustration. I doubt the doctor goes out for his own coffee, though. Thinking about you both today.
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No I doubt it. I was just angry as I could see how hard this was on my partner. This morning we went to the doctor because I was worried he may have a check thingee going here.

He just cannot do this any longer. It take everything out of him to get into the car and out and then back again. He barely can walk down the hall to the Dr. office. I told the doctor that he cannot do this any longer. He acts like he had a small stoke. I am just feeling SO sorry for him. I don't want him to suffer anymore. I want to keep him at home so I am praying that he goes before he gets much worse. It looks like I will have to start helping him eat soon. His appetite is going downhill also. I can't stand to see him like this. Coming out of the doctor's office getting into the car he started to go down. I was holding him with all I had in me to keep him from falling on the concrete. Suddenly Three beautiful male angels came flying out of the waiting room and helped me with my partner. Thank you God.

I finally put an ad in the paper for a housekeeper. I am interviewing someone on Tuesday and hopefully they can start on Friday. I have to start crossing off some chores on my list. He needs me more every day. If I can possibly afford it, I would like her to come every other week.
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CHEST THINGEE. NOT CHECK THINGEE
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I was on it, Requip, for restless leg syndrome. Also used in Parkinson's disease. It didn't help me but made my feet swell really bad.
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MIDKID....You are SO right. I did not want two appts in one day, but both doctor (know each other) (small town) and they thought it would be easier to have both appts same day same clinic. We were ok with that. I wish the nurse had just come out to say what was going on.

I talked to our Primary doctor yesterday about Hospice. I also had the conversation with our Visiting Nurse. She same they discuss my Partner yesterday and he is declining fast. She agreed that our Primary doctor who is the head of Hospice here in our County would be making the final decision. She was going to Email him today. She was SO pleased that we are both open to Hospice. She said a lot of people have the wrong idea about hospice. It is not a last minute fix. Some people are on hospice for a long time and actually come off. I have the greatest respect for hospice. I don't want him to suffer and Hospice is the answer.

I know from talking to our doctor that he is going to treat with pain medication and with antibiotics. He believes my partner is trying to get pneumonia. She agreed with me on the neurologist. She was shocked he was treating my partner as he is normally just called in as a consultant. But, as I have said many times, we live so far from GREAT treatment. I could drive my Partner 2.5 hours to the nearest new neurologist. I believe the neurologist is waiting for our Primary Care Dr (head of hospice) to make the decision on the next treatment road to take.

Our primary dr is a close friend and we would never leave him ever! We both trust him with our lives. We are going to leave the time for Hospice up to him.

Drs here in our area are SO stressed and over booked. They come in from the Big city for about 5 days a month and every time they come, there are new patients added to them. We are considered a Rural medical area. I was told they rented a house and they all use it when they come here.

My partner is scheduled for a shot in his hip and two shots in his lower back at the Surgery Center next week. If they can control his pain, his life will be so much better quality. He is so ready to go and I am so not ready for him to go. It is a mental conflict. Thanks for your advice. We both have great kids. My daughter is a teacher, underpaid and exceptional.
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