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Chloe, My father was diagnosed with PD over 2 years ago. He has never had tremors, or some of the typical PD signs. He went to a movement specialist, and sure enough had been mis-diagnosed all that time. His new diagnosis is PSP. It is under the umbrella of Parkinson diseases. Much worse, and progression is faster. I would rec.. you find a movement disorder specialist. PD and the other neuro. diseases related to it, are hard to diagnosis properly Good luck Kathy B. -----Original Message----- From: chloe.aldam <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 4:56 AM Subject: Different symptoms - PD plus? >Dear all, >I hope there is someone within this worldwide group that can help. >My partner's mother was diagnosed with PD nearly 5 years ago (when she >was 58), then as Parkinsons Plus over 2 years ago. She does not have >any tremors, or freezes, or what I have been told is the 'typical >parksonian walking moevement', but does have a joint stifness. This >started in her right arm, growing to a general movement stiffness. >Her voice started to deteriorate at least 2 years ago, so that no-one >could understand what she was saying so then she tried to speak even >faster. One speech therapist was no help, and she ended up using a >small typing screen for people to read so she didn't have to try to >talk. > >Another therapist gave her an amazing leap forwards. She was given a >card with all the letters of the alphabet, and told to point to the >beginning letter of each word and then say the word - and hey presto - >she was able to communicate by voice (using a different neural >pathway), not 'normally' but at least it was possible to understand >about 9 out of 10 words. The biggest problem now (6 months later) is >she hates using this card, so will try 3, 4, 5 or more times without >the card, which is very frustrating for all around her (as well as >herself). > >She has started to have more falls and seems to wish to make herself >housebound, no matter what encouragement we try and give her. > >It seems that her medications are giving her more side effects than >help. I don't know the details, but she has 3 types of pills: >one that lets her walk more easily, one that lets her eat, and one >that helps her to talk. None of these can be taken in conjunction >with the others. One of these tablets has the side effect of making >her screw up her face and she can barely open her eyes, which she >finds distressing. Recently, she has been getting this effect almost >all the time. > >I believe she had a brainscan about 3 years ago, and it did NOT show >much evidence of damage to areas normally associated with pd'. She >has had lots of blood tests for other diseases, but the doctors do not >seem to have had any success with any medications for any of her >symptoms. > >Does anyone else know of any symptoms like this? >I would love to contact others who know more about this, to know what >may be the best things to do to help. > >Thank you >Chloe > >[log in to unmask]