Parkinson's and Freezing

Hello @davidcana and welcome to Mayo Connect,

I'm assuming that you are talking about DBS? I'm not sure if that will help with freezing, I have heard that it can help with tremors.

I would like to invite some of our other PD members to talk about that. Does anyone in our group know about surgery to help with freezing?

@maxaz1 @chrisj2491 @denie57 @johnjames @trouble4343 @ggopher @aperob @caryp43 @burgle @macbeth @knightkris @pjsammy7 @bobbieingeorgia @gulfer @mojo1965 @brittalisse @ruby7dnj @brittalisse @moso @retairforceman @elizabethbryant @meggotty @ruby7dnj @dianalee @oronogo @melmaury @mariemarie @sainath @susan62 @ruby7dnj @kati612 @tllaes @dianalee @david59 @lsdempsey @pammettee @alistair01 @mzpattilyn @nyparkie

Also here are some links to articles about PD and freezing: The first one is from the National Parkinson’s Foundation http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-well/freezing.

This next article is from the Michael J. Fox Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?tricks-to-move-through-freezing-episodes-in-parkinson-disease.

Has your doctor offered you any suggestions or thoughts about the freezing, @davidcana?

He has not. I wonder if physical therapy would help

@davidcana

Perhaps PT would help. If you read the suggestions that are in the two articles I sent, you might find help there as well. The one idea of stepping backwards when you are in "a freeze" is a good thing to try.

Do you freeze mostly when going through doorways or is it more often than that?

I'm a caregiver to my husband who have Parkinsons with Lewy Body disease. he Freezes when ever he starts to walk. He takes tiny baby-steps to walk.

He chooses to sit all day & night watching TV. I can't allow myself to stay with him in the same room. I have my "Craft room" where I spend most of my time. I keep very busy by myself. I am very artistic and also spend my time on the computer. I need to do those things that give me pleasure. I do get out and see my friends. This way I get to recharge myself and come home with a better attitude.

@arlenephoto

I appreciate the way you are taking care of yourself. How long ago was your husband diagnosed with these disorders?

Teresa, He was diagnosed March 2018. The doctors should have taken me serious when I told them what was happening. At least I have him going to VA,.... They are Fantastic! They know so much more than the doctors we had gone to for a lot of years. I am watching and learning every day. My goal is to have him at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale. I take e3ach day as it comes.
I am Bio-polar and have gone to Riverside Cty. Mental Health for many many years. They now see me every 1-2 weeks. (instead of months) They are so wonderful in making sure,@ that I take "CARE of MYSELF". They've never steered me wrong in all my years.

You are really working hard at taking care of yourself under difficult conditions. I have not heard of Riverside Cty. Mental Health but I'm so glad that you are getting support from them. It sounds like they are doing a wonderful job helping you while you try to care for your husband.

We have a Caregivers Support discussion group that you might find helpful as well, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/. Just click on the link and you will find many people like yourself you are dealing with similar issues. Scott, @IndianaScott is the Volunteer Mentor of that group and I think you will find his many posts helpful.

Have you scheduled an appointment for your husband at Mayo in Arizona yet?

Question? for the last few months sometimes I wake up having tremors with my hands shaking so bad. It doesn't last too long and then I am good for awhile. This morning I feel asleep in my recliner and had my hands and arms shaking so bad and I remember thinking how do I get this to stop. Can I be dreaming all this is happening or is it real. I have appts at mayo at the end of march...…. would it be wise to add another one for this.

@sakota Hello Joan,

I'm so sorry to hear of these distressing symptoms. I can imagine your concern! I'm glad to hear that you have an upcoming appointment at Mayo. If you feel a need to schedule another appointment you can certainly call Mayo and ask to see another doctor.

What type of specialists will you be seeing at Mayo?