Parent with Parkinson's?

David · David's Garage

My 78 year old mother was just diagnosed with Parkinson's and I'm wondering what to expect. She lives alone in a small East Texas town about 200 miles away from me. She has some family and friends nearby but I expect eventually she'll need more close support than they can provide.

I'm 10 years away from retirement so I can't very well move to her in the next 10 years and I'm wondering how soon I need to plan for getting her to me and what to expect when she gets here.

She still gets around OK but I'm trying to get a feel for how quickly that might change.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Sorry to hear, David.

I wish I could help but am not educated in the input you are seeking, but at least wanted to express my concern.

I found out a buddy of mine who lives in Alabama was also diagnosed with Parkinsons, after having some issues with his left side both arm and leg.

Am interested in what others will post.

Best wishes for your Mom, David!

Evans, Marv · 01-07-2021, 03:10 PM

Had a H.S. buddy who had Parkinson's. It was about seven years from the time I learned he had it until the time he passed in a home for elderly people. I never learned when he was diagnosed with it. Good luck to you & your mom.

ErVikingo · 01-07-2021, 03:51 PM

you have a PM David

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Can change very quickly, she will probably not be forth coming about things.

Bugsinrugs · 01-07-2021, 05:23 PM

Science has come a long way since my mother died from Parkinson’s 25 years ago. El Dopa slowed the progression but eventually she needed full time care . It’s a heartbreaking disease. Sorry to hear.

David · David's Garage

Thank you for the replies and messages. Hopefully mom will have a slow progression but we will plan now so we’re ready for whatever and whenever changes come.

Alan A · 01-07-2021, 06:54 PM

Sorry to hear that.
I’d be trying to get everything sorted ASAP, even though treatments are better than they were. Mostly because I wouldn’t want to be scrambling if it all goes south faster than you’d expected.
Would she move to you?

LWJ · 01-07-2021, 08:08 PM

Lost my FIL this way.

Depression is a huge part of it.

So sorry to hear. This will be difficult.

Saadi996tt · 01-07-2021, 08:45 PM

My 84 year old dad just passed away this past Sunday, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 5 years ago. He also had other underlying issues like Congestive Heart Failure (99% blockage in his main artery); was given 6 months to live but lasted an additional 4.5 years. Alzheimer’s disease also crept in soon after which didn’t help at all.

I wouldn’t start moving next week but would start planning to help out or get part time in home care if possible. The disease has a habit of accelerating at a dramatic pace. My dad went from walking to bed bound in 2 weeks. I wish you and your mom the best of luck and start researching so you can be her health advocate.

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CalE · 01-07-2021, 10:29 PM

David,
Sorry to hear about your Mom, please make sure she has Parkinson's? My Mother went through hell over missed diagnosis. By Few worthless practicing doctor's opinions There's a Real Doctor in San Luis Obispo,Ca.That maybe able to help you. PM Me and I'll give you Her name. God bless.

David · David's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalE

David,
Sorry to hear about your Mom, please make sure she has Parkinson's? My Mother went through hell over missed diagnosis. By Few worthless practicing doctor's opinions There's a Real Doctor in San Luis Obispo,Ca.That maybe able to help you. PM Me and I'll give you Her name. God bless.

I went to my mom's last neurologist appointment to get the full scoop. It's not definitive yet but the doctor was pretty sure. Mom has a DAT scan coming up and she's started on dopamine so we'll see how that goes. She's shuffling and has had pretty bad hand tremors for months now. We were hoping it was related to other medicine she's on but now that doesn't appear to be the case.

masraum · 01-08-2021, 05:38 AM

I'm sorry for your mom's diagnosis, David. I hope it's a slow progression. I have an aunt that was diagnosed in the fall.

rfuerst911sc · 01-08-2021, 05:46 AM

Sorry to hear about your mom , if I were you I would stay in close contact with her doctor/care team . Ask all the questions you can think of and don't be afraid to follow up with more . You can only make sound decisions if you have the facts , and those facts today may be different in 6 months . It will be a changing landscape , I wish you the best .

G50 · 04-08-2023, 12:34 PM

My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He’s 82.

He’s doing ok, he actually doesn’t shake or have tremors, but he is getting weaker. Like muscle weakness. Very hard to get into and out of cars, etc.

The medications seem to help a bit, but not a whole lot. The weakness seems to be getting worse.

Other than that he has no other health issues.

Anything new on this? I’m just getting up to speed.

Dantilla · 04-08-2023, 01:46 PM

Lost an uncle to Parkinson's a couple years ago.
No visible tremors, but the muscles were still going nonstop, causing extreme fatigue.

His speech was getting difficult, and speech therapy did wonders for a while.
While he sounded almost normal again, he said he is screaming as loud as he can in order to be heard.

Hard to watch the decline.

So sorry you have to face this.

Zeke · 04-08-2023, 02:06 PM

One of the antique dealers I do work for has Parkinson's. He much younger than me, but still pushing 60. His meds have disguised his symptoms but he reports that he is tired. He sure works hard for being tired. He says he stumbles more and is not quite as agile. I can't see it. Maybe a little over a year now, so still early.

gchappel · 04-08-2023, 04:45 PM

Progression is unpredictable- sometimes fast, sometimes slow.
Then it can get worse quickly, then the progression can just stop.
As above, depression can be a big part of the downward spiral as well.
I wish you the best. The journey is presently unknown.
gary

vonsmog · 04-08-2023, 06:55 PM

My brother was just diagnosed with Parkinson’s about a year ago, he’s 68. Started shuffling and walking like he was in his 80's. He seems to be going downhill faster than we expected. We saw this and we are trying to get him in some test studies.
https://www.today.com/video/new-vibrating-glove-eliminates-parkinson-s-tremor-157390405854

RobFrost · 04-08-2023, 07:33 PM

I'm sorry to hear that. My grandfather had Parkinson's and his decline was relatively slow, although the progression varies from case to case. He walked every day which became a slow shuffle and even after some years he would escape from the home and shuffle off places.

He lived a long way away so it wasn't easy to see him.

He had a few falls so they tried to stop him getting out but i think he wanted to live until he died. In later years I went to see him and it took a long time for them to bring him to the room for me to see him and it would take minutes for him just to say a single word.

I don't know how much of a blessing a slow progression was because it meant the years he spent poorly were more drawn out. We all want to be around as long as possible, I guess. You could see it as a good thing to be ready to go when you finally go, and I think he was ready to go. It felt like he was in prison to me, both in the home and in his own body.

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