Suggest Treatment For Visual Hallucinations And Sleeplessness

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 1 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am currently taking 40mg atorvastatin, 40mg furosemide, 600mg gabapentin 2x day and 900mg at bedtime, 5/325mg hydrocodone x2 at bedtime, 40mg pantoprazole in am, 20meq potassium, 4mg ropinirole 2x day and 8mg at bedtime in addition to 4mg tizanidine prn and 12mg at bedtime. I continue to suffer from RLS, symptoms which are increasing after recent L4-5 fusion. I suffer from visual hallucinations, sleep less than 6 hr/nite, have fallen asleep while driving, can't sit for more than 2 hours, had to get a different car because of discomfort trying to get into and out of driver's seat; have calves that feel like rocks. My current neurologist says he doesn't know what to do next. I have been on almost every PD drug and nothing seems to work for any length of time. Other than that, "I'm Fine". I would like to get off some if not all of my current prescriptions. I am tired of being tired. What do I need to do or where to go? Am retired and live in Iowa.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is need to to go on line of atypical parkinsonism specially LBD

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

From the available description I feel there is need to investigate on line of atypical Parkinsonoim. In atypical parkinsonism syndromes diseases there is poor response to treatment and have more probability of sleep disorders (, RLS, REM sleep disorder, day time sleepiness).

Visual hallucinations are particularly common in one of atypical parkinson disorder called LBD.

I like to inform you that he need to investigate for LBD first a type of atypical Parkinson syndrome. This can be differentiated by detailed history and SPECT neuro imaging from the parkinsonism.

I hope it answers your question.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and rregards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad