 |
 |
Anybody knows the biological basis for the difference? Thanks -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Ann Ryan Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 8:31 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: need help with dementia diagnosis - Alan & Patti Zapf Texas Alzheimer's dementia is unremitting. Once it starts the person never reverses. In PD the dementia gets worse and then gets better, gets worse - then better. In my husband's case, it didn't completely overtake him, although he never completely returned to normal. We could still talk about what happened yesterday or last week - in snatches. Ultimately, it seems that death occurs in similar fashion in both diseases. My husband slept most of the day during his last months, totally lost his appetite and merely slipped away. He never lost his ability to swallow - although that is a common problem in end-stage PD, as it is in Alzheimer's. Incidentally, with a proper toileting program my husband was continent to the very end. ------ Mary Ann www.bentwillowfarm.org > Hello Mary Ann > > What's the difference in symptoms btw PD dementia and Alzheimer's > dementia? > Thanks > >> Patti, Aricept has mixed results - some people do well on it while others > don't notice a difference. Our neuro refused to prescribe any dementia > drugs for Jamie because he claimed that they cause even more balance > issues - so I have no personal experience with that group of meds. > > Please keep in mind that depression is very common in PD - probably > because > there are a host of neurotransmitters involved in the disease. It isn't > surprising that depression may result as a consequence. Please keep in > mind > > that PD dementia is a lot different than Alzheimer's dementia. Even at > the > end of his life and despite severe dementia, Jamie still remembered who we > were, where he was and what was going on in the world. > > Just continue to stimulate your husband's brain with puzzles, books and > games. Social interaction is also very beneficial. > -------- > God bless > Mary Ann (CG Jamie 68/28 with PD, died 11/20/07) > www.bentwillowfarm.org > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.791 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2753 - Release Date: 03/17/10 15:33:00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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