Hello all,
Just looking for information. (Don't know what I am looking for...just
frustrated) I have been a member of the ListServ for about a week. I have
been getting informed from all your comments. I am in Georgia but my
brother is in Dallas, Texas. I have informed his wife and sons of the
Fogleson PD at Presbyterian Hospital recently thanks to several who
responded. We are now aware of Dr. Stewart but John's wife has not had the
time to act on that information yet. She is in the process of putting him
on Medicaid and either putting him in a nursing home or getting home health
care through Medicaid. He is on Medicare for up to 100 days in a nursing
home while he is being "treated" with physical therapy and speech therapy.
He is due to get out April 17th.
Brother has PD.
Age 68. (April 19th). Contracted PD some 8 years ago (symptoms
observed). Started with walk (shuffling of feet). (When he badly fell they
took him to the doctor and he was diagnoised.) Speech affected 8 years ago
to a minor degree. Gradually lost his voice. Gradually began falling.
Cannot walk by himself now. Contracted Pneumonia (aspiration). Did a
barium swallow found he was swallowing into his lungs. Put a tube into his
stomach so he is fed directly into his stomach. He was incontinent (sp?) at
least 3 years ago....and a year before that.
He was put into a nursing home recently. He has a TV and appears to
read magazines (with his glasses). He cannot put his glasses on. He is
bedridden unless someone gets him up and walks him...and puts him in a wheel
chair. So he just lays there during the day. His wife works (has to work)
She is 62. He shows emotion when he sees his brother and sister and
probably his grandchildren.
He did talking some when he recently went into the hospital for
pneumonia. I would guess he was taken off his medications, put on oxygen
and, of course, had a little shock probably when they put tubes down him.
After several days he did not talk. He tries to talk now...lips the words,
but does not make a sound. At times he does talk ...some- seems to be in
the morning after his pill is wearing off.....maybe.... He shakes his head
when you ask him a question...and seems to understand. I am convinced he
understands what goes on around him. He writes some...at times....but you
can't read it because it "tails off" into very small print.
Three years ago he was taking the following medications:
He takes Simnemet .25 mg 4 times a day.
Also Parlodel 2.5 mg twice a day.
All of this was 3 years ago when it was suspected he had had a stroke
and went into FLOW Rehab for about 2 weeks. He recovered and went home and
had to have a sitter come in 10 hours a day during the week. He stayed home
until recently when he was put into a nursing home. I do not know if he has
changed medications but I would suspect he has not from the comments I get
from his wife. I am trying to check on that now. Someone on the LISTSERVE
suggested he be checked for his medications and possibly change the dosage.
I suggested to his wife she take him to Dr. Stewart and let him observe
John.
I am sure I missed a lot here...but if anyone has suggestions other than
what I have seen for the last week or so let me know. I have become better
informed on PD...wish that I had gotten involved 8 years ago---had I known.
Thank you,
Larry
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