Yep, flu or pneumonia is the kiss of death for me. Ray
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gentry, Greyling" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 11:25 PM
Subject: Re: eye problemsGreyling


> Ray,
>
> Not sure about watery eyes. My mom's eyes dry out because of the
> constant forward staring and loss of blinking response. I encourage her
> to do that eye exercise in which you "trace" the numbers one through
> nine, keeping the head still and moving only the eyeballs. It is done
> using the entire range of motion -- imagining the numbers as being HUGE.
> I think this is helping keep her eye muscles supple.
>
> I've heard it's very important to keep airways clear to reduce the
> chances of developing aspiration pneumonia. In my mom's case, she now
> has trouble swallowing and tends to choke on saliva if she falls asleep
> in certain positions.
>
> I encourage her to lean her head forward and over to one side when she's
> about to doze off in her chair. That way she drools rather than inhaling
> the excess saliva. A folded washcloth keeps her clothing dry, and a
> towel placed at the front of her pillow collects her saliva while she's
> sleeping on her side in bed. If this worsens, I may start using
> absorbent incontinent pads with waterproof backing. I make sure to turn
> her back onto her side if I find her sleeping on her back.
>
> It's not easy or pleasant, any of this, but there are workarounds for
> many of the more annoying symptoms. Most doctors are well-intentioned
> but have simply never lived with or around Parkinson's. The tips
> provided by members of this list are an absolute TREASURE to us!
>
> All the best to you and yours,
>
> Greyling
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of rayilynlee
> Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 7:49 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: eye problemsGreyling
>
> Greyling, I have been thinking about your treatments for your mother for
> about a week now.  I don't have mucus, but excessive watering.  I don't
> think anyone really knows what it is.  I can't see how so much water can
> be
> dry eyes.
>
> I do have excessive mucus from post nasal drip which chokes me.  When I
> swim, treadmill or breathe deeply I really start coughing.
>
> Thank you for sharing your ideas.  The doctors aren't such great help.
> Ray
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gentry, Greyling" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 11:25 PM
> Subject: Re: eye problemsKF
>
>
>> My mother has complained of a slimy film in her eyes ever since her
>> diagnosis. It's thickest in the morning and causes blurriness
> throughout
>> the day. The ophthalmologist says the eye's way of protecting the
> cornea
>> from damaging dryness is to produce a thickened, mucous-like
> substance.
>> However, this is no substitute for proper hydration and a strict
> regimen
>> of eye wetting. Permanent lens damage results from chronic dry eye.
>>
>> My mom also had an infection of the lids called blephitis. This was
>> causing a yellowish crusting at the lash lines, adding to her vision
>> problems as the tear ducts became less able to do their jobs of
> rinsing
>> the eyes.
>>
>> It took a month but I got her eyes back to normal. She'll always need
>> someone to help her continue because it's a lot to remember:
>>
>> * No makeup. Only on special occasions and remove it all right away.
>>
>> * Every morning and evening, wash eyes thoroughly with a warm
> washcloth
>> and baby shampoo.
>>
>> * If needed, use antibiotic ointment (prescribed by doc) morning and
>> evening right after washing.
>>
>> * During antibiotic ointment treatment and ever after, use Refresh PM
>> each morning and before sleep. This is a thick goo and you won't be
> able
>> to read for about an hour, but it replenishes the vital moisture in
> the
>> lens. It coats the eyes during sleep, which often happens with the
> eyes
>> open in Parkinson's patients.
>>
>> * Six to eight times throughout the day, use 1-2 drops of the extra
>> heavy duty artificial tears. It's a thicker solution that coats
> longer.
>>
>> * Very importantly, DRINK PLENTY OF LIQUID THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Big
>> amounts at long intervals are less effective than keeping the water
> jug
>> in reach and making yourself chug it dozens of times each day. We
> found
>> it helpful to have her drink a few good swigs during each commercial.
>>
>> We also did blinking exercises together while the commercials were on,
>> killing two birds with one stone. And we incorporated blinking into
> her
>> stride by counting out together: BLINK! -- two -- three -- four.
> BLINK!
>> -- two -- three -- four.... Now whenever she's up and about, that
> plays
>> in her head and she remembers to blink.
>>
>> I also programmed a handheld computerized reminder device for her. She
>> hears my voice ten times a day at predetermined times. Sometimes it
>> tells her to take Sinemet, sometimes to take both the Sinemet and
>> Requip. Sometimes it reminds her to have a non-protein snack, and
> other
>> times she's told to be sure to eat a big bunch of protein. But every
>> single time, it says, "And be sure to glug down plenty of water,
> Nana!"
>> This has helped her tremendously as the med/food regimen is complex
> and
>> hard to remember to follow.
>>
>> You can order the VoiceCue online. I think it was about $40. It's a
> pain
>> to program and doesn't change to/from daylight savings time, but we
>> can't live without it.
>>
>> Hope this helps!
>>
>> ~ Greyling
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of rayilynlee
>> Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 12:31 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: eye problemsKF
>>
>> KF
>>
>> I developed eye problems about a year after my DBSs.. Excessive
> watering
>> and
>> double vision which the ophthalmologist says is due to cataracts which
>> are
>> not ready to be removed yet.  I wear progressive lenses.  Boy is it
>> annoying.  It is unclear whether this or my speech difficulty is
> DBS/PD
>> related or not.  This disease has way too many symptoms.
>> Ray
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "KF Etzold" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 9:12 AM
>> Subject: eye problems
>>
>>
>>> Carline uses a contact lens (she had a cataract removed in on eye).
>> When I
>>> remove her lens at night there is usually a filmy deposit on the the
>> lens.
>>> This of course greatly diminishes the quality of her vision.
>>>
>>> Has anybody experienced films of slimy material in their eyes? She
>> seems
>>> to
>>> get these deposits even without the lens, but less so. She seems to
>> blink
>>> less.
>>> Does anybody know of blinking exercises for the eyes?
>>>
>>> She also has a tendency to close her eyes, or squint. Often she keeps
>> one
>>> eye or the other closed. she rarely opens her eyes fully. Comments?
>>>
>>> K. F. Etzold CG Carline
>>>
>>>
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