 |
 |
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 >>> >>> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn