I am suspecting Parkinsons in our elderly loved one. Can't get into see a specialist until December. The synptoms I've learned about seem to be setting on rapidly like; trouble swallowing, higher blood pressure readings, not blinking, leg pain, depression, and hallucinations upon waking up from sleep. There are tremors on both sides of body now.
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my mom was diagnosed with pd at the age of 36. some 44 years have passed and now she is in the final stages. she is completely bed bound and shows no recognition of the external world. i am in a dilemma. some five years ago she had a peg tube placed to aid in her nutrition. the staff in the hospital questioned my decision to do this. "what's the use?" they said. at that point in time i felt mom still had some quality of life.

now i am not so sure. i cannot find any information to help me deal with this ethical dilemma. i am having a hard time sorting out my personal feelings. mom never discussed how far she wanted me to go with regards to prolonging life. there is nothing of this nature discussed in her advanced directive.
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GoingCrazyKinky - My dad just did the thickened liquids adn did not even get a formal swallowing study; he had a statement for no G-tube, plus the medical literature says that in the setting of advanced dementia (not necessarily some other issues like a brainstem stroke or ALS) G-tubes don't extend quantity OR imrpove quality of life. I only had one person recommend otherwise and we just sadi no thanks. Actually, he would only get pneumonia when he had vomiting first, not from whatever went down the wrong way when he ate. I think soneone posted on another list - can you really live on Ensure and cinnamon buns, and the anser is actually yes - not ideal in terms of antioxidants and such, but calories, protein, fluid and basic vitamins would be OK. Getting a swallowing study might be helpful for you, as long as people don't freak out about aspiration if the decision is to pick the foods and liquids he does best with even though there is some dysfunction. Some therapists and nurses don't seem to be able to srot out the risk from chronic small amounts of stuff getting in the lungs, which does eventually cause problems, versus sudden catastrophic choking events that may happen if someone is given foods the can't chew or amounts they can't handle. There is also something called the Frazier Protocol for folks who otherwise need to thicken liquids but hate them and won't stay hydrated. Let us know what you find out.

MMcKenna - uh-oh. Seroquel aggravates parkinsonism. Seriously. His motor function could possibly improve a lot if they'd at least give him a little Cogentin (benztropine) with it, and minimize the dose if possible.
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Pat, it is good to see you on here again. My husband, 85, has LBD, which is about the same pathology as PDD, except exactly what parts of the brain are effected. Pneumonia is a very valid concern. A speech therapist can explain some ways of minimizing the risks, but that can be very difficult for someone with dementia to remember. Thickening liquids by adding a special powder to them is supposed to decrease the chance of going down the wrong way, too. A feeding tube was recommended for my husband several years ago. Like your FIL he had already decided he did not want that, and he was competent to confirm that decision at the time. So, no feeding tube. I have since learned that a feeding tube lessens the chance of aspiration pneumonia, but does not eliminate it. Saliva can be swallowed wrong and cause a lung infection. Also, patients with dementia often forget what the tube is for and try to remove it. Then they are restrained, either physically or chemically. All in all I am glad I backed up hubby's decision. In his case he was recovering from a bleeding ulcer and as he regained his strength his swallowing improved, too. He still coughs some when he eats, and he has had pneumonia twice in 7 years. At this point I am not trying to prevent him from dying -- we both accept that he is going to die, whether from LBD or not. I am trying to maintain his quality of life as long as possible. A feeding tube did not fit into that picture.

I can't remember. Aside from eating mostly Ensure, what is his condition like at this point?

Hugs to you dear lady. This disease is a horrible, terrible stress on loved ones. Try to take care of yourself, too. What did you eat today? Did you get in your 5 servings of veggies and fruit? :)
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My father in law is 87 with parkinsons; he uses a walker and has dementia....I am worried and need anybody's advice. He has stopped eating normally about two weeks ago...only eats a few bites at each meal but drinks about 6 ensures a day. The doctor says that is okay. BUT HERE IS MY CONCERN: When he eats or drinks he coughs a lot. I am concerned about lung aspiration and pneumonia...what do you do? ..He has a no feeding tube condition listed on his living will......what should we do? what are you all doing? I am soooo worried. Thanks, Pat
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My husband has Stage 5 Parkinson's disease and the most serious "side-effect" is the swallowing and aspiration into his lungs of anything, including saliva, that causes aspiration pneumonia. The medical treatment consists mainly of antibiotics, IV to keep hydration and other aids if needed, such as Peg tube feeding, catheterization, etc. I used a wonderful herbal lung formula that helped keep infection from occurring in the early stages, however, at this time, it is a constant process of trying to keep the lungs clear.
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Mom has incontinence and movement problems, but thank God, she is sharp in her mind. She has been with us for 4 years and is moving with us to our new home. I am not looking forward to the chapter!
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this is for worried-my dad has PD and does the same thing-he has started taking Ativan, just 1/2 tab at night and it helps
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My father in law has stage 5 - is there any drug that can help him? He does not take anything for his PD just seraquil. He is still a good eater, but can't talk, walk.
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My grandmother has had pd for 11 years. Everything was good, but now she see things. Such as animals coming out of her wall, a man playing the piano on the bridge. Is this a side affected of pr or the drug/
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My husband is 57 and has had PD for 18 years I would say he is in Stage 5 , he can not speak, or eat he has a G-Tube for feedings, suprapubic cath, needs total care for all ADL's he can bear weight that I can at least stand and pivot him to move him from bed to wheelchair. He does seem to comprehend waht is being said and will nod his hear. At time his lips are pursed his stomach and chest are moving but he can not take air in or blow it out, he will turn blue, his eyes roll and he seems to have jerking movements and almost pass out then he will breathe very labored for a time after. I am not sure what is going on or what I can expect to happen from here. I take care of him at home, nursing home is not an alternative due to expense and he does want to stay home and I want to do what he wishes.
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I think my nephew has PD, he has been shaking, from his head to hands since few years now, but he abuses alcohol and is an alcoholic, can this worsen his PD? He has not been diagnosed with the disease, but it's getting pretty apparent he might have it.
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they say there is no test for PD but to try sentiment and if it helps you have it if not you dont
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my mom has most of the symptoms that are described. the most severe being rigidity/bradykinesia, difficulty swallowing, constipation, and sometime difficult speaking. (THE DIAGNOSE HAS NOT BEEN MADE yet) BASED ON HER SYMPTOMS I AM PRETTY MUCH SURE THAT IS WHAT SHE HAS..sHE IS 01 YRS OLD AND IS PRESENTLY IN THE HOSPITAL WITH TWO RIGHT SIDE FRACTURED RIBS. Any answer or advice on how to go forward will be appreciated, especially if anyone is on some drug that is treating those symptoms effectively.
thank you
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my father was dignosed with pd 15 years ago. it seems to me since i can remember that the medications havent worked that well for him. i understand that this is a progressive condition, but it seems as if it has been progressing at an alarming speed. he also has trouble with high/low blood pressure, he has what we call episodes when he blacks out. is this normal with people who have pd?
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my mom has had pd for 6 yrs. she is 80 and take carb/levo 4 times aday.. She is hallucinating very badly.
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My mother has tremors but not pd, or they say she doesn't. Can her nonsequencial tremors be a sign that pd will occur? What exactly are nonsquencial tremors anyway?
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I just found out that my dad has pd...The one thing that worries me is that at night when he's sleeping he has begun to hit my mother...is this because of PD????...He feels so guilty because he doesn't even know he's doing it..My mom can usually tell when and can get him to stop, but what if one of these days he doesn't? Is there something that can be done...They are talking about separate beds, and they hate that idea, they have been together for over 50 years and have never slept apart.
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My client doesn't have tremors, but suffers with the rigidity. She's tried various meds for that and not any help. She's worse in the evenings, and even moans. is this normal and is there something else to try?
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