Wondering ....my spouse is in the Alzheimers mid stage (early stage 5). He has been having balancing issues which are becoming more problematic as his disease progresses. Recently he is now developing a slow shuffle as he walks. He has bradykinesia with stiffness and has problems dressing and trouble getting off the couch, along with difficulty bending over.
Today spouse had a Neuro apt. when the doctor used the vibration stimuli to his knees he had no feeling. The doctor made no remarks, but I am now wondering if this could this be Parkinsonism? My concern is he may fall and end up in a nursing home. The doctor ordered PT, but don't have a lot of faith in this with diminished memory. So many questions I have....(couldn't discuss this with doctor today as don't want to talk about this issues in front of spouse
Oh I I understand how you hate to talk about your DH's failing memory etc in front of him! Some doctors won't talk to you without the pt being present... On our last neuro visit, I pointed out that my DH has a new sort of idiopatihc tremor in his right hand..is not constant though. The doctor put him through a few little tests to rule out Parkinsons. First he had him raise his arms and have palms up. Then he asked him to open and close his left hand as quickly as he could while he held the right hand. There was minor mirroring. Then he had him repeat the same test with his right hand..no mirroring. Then he had him cross his arms across his chest and try to get up. He couldn't do that. He needed his cane and the arm of the chair to push himself up. The doctor then asked him to walk down the hall and he noted his gait and arm swing was approptiate. So at this timei no Dx of Parkinson's. He said the tremor is similar to a Parkinson tremor but he does not meet the other items on the check list.
The walking you mention is part of the disease. My mom developed a balance problem and a friend who had Alz developed the walking style you describe. I think it is part of the progression.
I have posted here before, but I think that may have been before you posted- I mean about this.
When H went from rehab to ALF (which was exclusively palliative)(not all patients were hospice but most were.) The doc said "how rare for him to have the Parkinson's GLARE at his age". As it turned out, I don't know if he did or if he did not.
It sounds like the testing your DH had was more complete.
N was quite compassionate. If I asked for a separate appt he would discuss with me H's condition, but it had to be that, a separate appt. I had a dpoa and I think that helped; although he knew us both.
lullie, so sorry to learn that your hb is having balance and walking problems. Since he also has FTD, it is not uncommon for someone with FTD to develop parkinsonism or Parkinsons disease in combination with the FTD. I have a friend whose husband had FTD and was dxd around the same time as my DH, however he developed Parkinson's. His decline was quite rapid after the Parkinson's dx.
Please find a way to discuss the Neuro's findings so you know what you're dealing with. (((HUGS)))
Lullie, Claude had the same kind of Parkinson's symptoms, balancing, shuffle type walking, rigidity that you describe. The neuro put him on a couple of Parkinson's meds, can't remember the names now, but he couldn't tolerate them. I think it is or can be part of the progression.
The doctor also ordered PT and OT for him. The therapists came to the house twice a week. They were both super gals and very good at what they did. They both did wonders with him even with his diminished memory, and he liked them. For several years prior, he flatly refused to have a stranger in the house but he related well to both these gals and followed their directions. And he would laugh and talk with them which was unusual. Their visits gave me kind of a mini respite while they were there.
Both the therapies helped and kept him mobile for several months longer than he would have had. He eventually went into a wheelchair for outings and a rolling walker inside.
Dado has some kind of Parkinson type symptoms, and in fact, the first sign we saw that something was wrong, BEFORE the memory lapse, was a very shaky right leg, it would shake and get "stuck" like that.
Lullie, oh it was the worst when he started falling, yes please watch out. And it happened so fast, within a few months. Very HARD falls and almost always straight forward. One day he fell a total of 8 times it was insane, I hurt myself trying to pick him up. The only "good" side of it is I finally started to get some help with the medical and placement issues. As he was getting up and I could not control him , I simply could not take care of him.. though now, he does not ever stand up.
Claude used to fall also. One time he fell and pulled the TV down on top of him. I was in a wheelchair at the time with a broken pelvis and couldn't do anything. I called my daughter at work who called a friend who came over. We called 911 and they took him to the ER. He always had back problems, but this was the icing on the cake so to speak. It really hurt his back badly and from then on was mostly wheelchair bound and went downhill rapidly.
Ron is now showing some of these symptoms in the last couple months. In Jan I would say he was late stage 5 with some stage 6 symptoms. Now I'm sure he is mostly stage 7. about 5 weeks ago I got a walker and now he can't do without it. I also borrowed a wheelchair a week later and now he needs it in the am and pm. When he walks his left leg gets "stuck". He then forgets to walk at all and keeps pushing the walker ahead until I stop it. When he lifts a glass to drink it shakes so badly it rattles on his teeth. I had been seeing changes weekly, but when I picked him up yesterday after his 11 day respite stay ,it was a dramatic difference.
Oh thank you so much each of you precious members and your concern, input, and suggestions. I can never express how supportive and wonderful this board is to me. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could personally connect at an "Alzheimers Spouse Convention"?
Mimi- I am glad to hear that after the extensive test Parkinson disease was ruled out. We really don't need any more diseases on our buffet plate do we? My spouse's tests were not as complete as your spouses, but I do feel that the doctor was though and I have much confidence in his ability. It does sound like you have been surrounedd with neurological problems with not only your spouse, but your mother. I am sorry that you have had these experiences..so very tiring.
Abby-Even though you don't know much about Parkinsons disease I appreciate that you posted your care. This means so much...although you have no longer your dear one you have risen above and beyond to be there for support. I thank you so very much. My neuro guy is also very compassionate and he seems as concerned about my husband's welfare as my welfare. It's refreshing in todays "assembly line medicine"
LFL-As always you are there for me. Girl...I love ya ! We got off on the wrong foot, but at the end of the day you have stood there for me! I hope to do the same for you. I wasn't not aware that with FTD there is a Parkinson link. I will take your advice and look into scheduling a Neuro apt, for a one on one. I need to discuss long term goals and expectations.
redbud73086- yes the Alzheimers shuffle is fairly new...he walks like his feet are glued to the pavement. If wasn't that many years ago that we would hike miles several days a week. The decline blows me away. I am so glad that you mentioned that the therapists came to your home. We have an apt. with the PT next Friday for an evaluation and I will request this! Thanks so much for this suggestion...I hope that my spouse responses to the therapy as well as your dear Claude did.
Coco-I have noticed that my spouse's physical condition has now surpassed his mental decline. In the beginning it was the mental decline with absolutely no physical decline. Yes, falling is the real biggie. I too see almost weekly changes and I really wonder and worry where we will be next year at this time. I hope that you get some resolution from the VA very soon. You are in my prayers!
MaryPA- I am sorry that your husband's decline was so dramatic in such a short time. Perhaps he will level off. So very upsetting and sad for you to return from respite only to see this. I do hope that he will level off. ((hugs))