Parkinson disease question??

Question

My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's a few weeks ago and want to know about some symptoms I have noticed with her if it's part of this or something separate> weight loss about 15 pounds in a matter of weeks but eats normal -breathing heavy kinda panting like and mental issues repeats self ! Also skin is very dry and flaky. Any help or info on this will be helpful!

Answer 1

How bad is her shaking?  Is it getting worse?  If she is having trouble performing daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating) or walking, you may want her to request a prescription for an Occupational Therapy evaluation.  They have adaptive equipment that can help her.

Answer 2

Parkinson's usually progresses at rates that take years or even decades - you don not see changes in a matter of weeks, so the weight loss is not likely to be caused by Parkinson's.   Parkinson's can reduce the lung capacity, but otherwise does not cause breathing problems because breathing is controlled by  a part of the brain that is largely unaffected by the disease.  Parkinson's is believed to be caused by a shortage of certain neurotransmitters, and there is no connection between neruotransmitter levels and skin condition.  Dementia commonly occurs in late-stage Parkinson's, and along with mental problems, the breathing problems could be indirectly caused by dementia - she could be intentionally altering her breathing for some irrational reason.

Answer 3

My mother was dx 13 yrs ago as of this Labor Day. She began with weight loss mostly due to lack of appetite (medication caused nausea) the symptom she had was mainly tremor in her pinky of the right hand. She went for many years without other symptoms but then she began to shuffle, freeze at gait, in other words she would walk and then just stop in motion and be locked in place having to think to get the legs moving forward again.

I can tell you that medication adjustment will most likely be in order, as my mother began on one medication that caused the nausea, then after a few other tries with other meds, we found she did best and to this day does best with sinemet. you know she is getting too much med if she is either light headed, groggy, head doesnt feel clear, or nauseated, shakey.

As for the dry skin, very common in PD, particularly the face and forehead. My mother actually had drier skin in her early stages of PD and I used to make up  a moisurizer that really helped. Take 2 tbsp of honey, 1/4 of a well smashed up banana, and 1 egg. Beat this and

apply to the dry skin once a month. Leave it sit on her skin for about

15 minutes then rinse off with water and dry with a soft cloth.

The mental issues, repeating herself is also common,

my mother tells me something and then the next day or even later

that day she will say "oh, did I tell you?" Yes mom, you told me.

You might find she seems down and out, if this happens, if she begins

to downgrade herself or appears angry, frustrated or sad, saying things

out of character, she might be depressed, this is one of the most

biggest symptoms in early stages. My mother took a good year before

she even told her best friend that she had PD, she began to say things

about herself and I then suggested that the doctor put her on LExapro

which is given to many pd patients because it doesn't conflict with pd meds, no side effects and is not a narcotic.

Feel free to join our pd caregivers board, I would like you to keep in

touch, you will need to speak to other caregivers who have loved ones with PD, it helps and educates. I started the group because i felt very alone and needed others who understood how I felt about this experience, and caring for one with this disease.

Mom is now having difficulty walking, but I have been on top of her pd,

even telling her neuro what I feel is best for mom, and proved that

common sense goes much further than book smart as her neuro is.

Keep in touch!

Hugs

karen

Our group is at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pcs...

PS: The breathing concern? I would suggest she get a chest X-ray. Only because my mother began breathing heavy just last year, winded quickly, winded quickly is one thing, but simple things would make her winded, so the neuro had her get an xray to assure she did not have asperational phnemonia which is where food enters the lungs due to weakness of the throat muscles. She was okay and we determined it was more due to weight gain that is causing her to be more winded than she used to be.

Answer 4

Parkinson's includes deterioration of muscles, which is why she's lost weight.  Skin, as far as I know, has nothing to do with it.  Good luck about your mother:(  Bye!  xxxxxx