My husband has Parkinsons and I'm his primary caregiver. He is intellectually intact, but his speech is usually so soft that many people can't hear him. Although I cut his food into small pieces, he is a sloppy eater and not a pleasant dinner companion as he was pre-Parkinsons, also he has excessive saliva which makes our social life rather lonely. I'm looking for a remedy for this apart from Botox injections which he has a few times. It isn't long lasting and it is expensive in terms of travel and fees.

@sandycerem I can understand the predicament you and your husband find yourself in. Soft speech, excess saliva are all part of the picture of PD. There are "drying medicines" that can be used, however, meds that dry your mouth also dry up the rest of the body including the digestive tract - which often makes constipation more of a problem. I have found that chewing gum is a way to combat drooling - chewing gum causes you to swallow that excess saliva to keep from drooling. Regarding the soft speech, speech therapy helps with that - as does singing. Has your husband's doctor given him a referral to a speech therapist? There are Parkinson's singing groups. I'm not sure what area you live in, however, you could "google" singing groups for Parkinson's and see what you come up. Have you discussed these problems with his doctor? Teresa

THANK YOU very much for your quick and helpful response.  My husband has had speech therapy off and on since his Dx. several years ago.   Perhaps we should try it again.  
What is strange to me is that his mood and behavior change from day to day...  One day he's engaged verbally with normal speech volume and clarity, and the next day his speech is almost inaudible and he ignores my attempts to converse with him.. Depression could be a possibility given the limitations he experiences now as compared to when he was fully engaged  professionally.  His intellect and memory show no deterioration and thankfully he is able to use a treadmill and stationary bike like a normal, robust man.Interesting, eh?.

@sandycerem Yes, Parkinson's is a varied disorder - and it affects everyone differently. Continuing speech therapy is a good thing and reading out loud - perhaps you could take turns reading out loud to each other - it helps the voice but it is also a good cognitive exercise I've been told. Depression is very common with PD because there is a change in brain chemistry with PD. On June 1, I posted an article from the Michael J. Fox website regarding Moods and Parkinson. You might take a look at it - I believe it will be helpful for you both. Have you mentioned his depression to his doctor yet? Support groups are also very helpful. Have you attended any Parkinson's support groups together? Teresa

I am joining this group because my 74 year old mother has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons this year. My mom has my dad to help her daily and I am the only daughter that lives within close enough distance to assist on a regular basis. We are being seen by neurologist at Michigan State University and she is on Carbidopa and Carbidopa Levidopa. My biggest question has to do with how long does Parkinsons exist in ones body before the symptoms become detectable; my mom has had undiagnosed and unexplained nausea for approximately 10-11 years and no one seems to be able to diagnose. We have undergone every digestive test and scope / scan possible with no diagnosis including biopsies with negative results on all fronts. Does anyone else experience this with Parkinsons or not at all? Are there other drugs available for treatment of Parkinsons that do not cause severe nausea - she has tried taking with sweets, apple juice and plenty of water and nothing seems to help what is already a very tentative stomach/digestive situation - leaving her in bed for sometimes 4 out of 7 days a week....... looking for any straw

I’m looking forward to being involved with this group...hoping my understanding of technology will be enough! 😌

Am Parkinsons old timers diagnosed in 2017and nearly done in by Parkinsons. Feel that most people who have Parkinsons feel that falling is not the answer but give up trying to explain why they fall and their families don’t want to admit that they’re parkies.it is a helluva thing. Say nobody dies from Parkinsons but I am trying hard to be the fist

Do you have anything in the tempe Area for Parkinsons.?