Parkinson's and Freezing

Posted by davidcana @davidcana, Jan 22, 2019

Hi. Im new to this. Im 54 years old and was diagnosed with parkinsons 7 years ago. I no longer have tremors but I freeze all the time. Can surgery help wiith this?

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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?

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@hopeful33250

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?

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He has not. I wonder if physical therapy would help

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@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?

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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.

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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.

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@arlenephoto

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.

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@arlenephoto

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

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@hopeful33250

@arlenephoto

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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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@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?

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