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I don’t know what to do!! MIL diagnosed with Parkinsonism
I am a caregiver for my MIL. She was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. She also has incontinence issues. And has developed a constant cough. We went to the doctors they did a CT scan and found “no significant findings” but this cough won’t go away. It also produces a lot of phlegm. She doesn’t seem to be able to cough it up properly. She has recently started making this grunting noise. She does it 70% of the day. And she picks at her fingernails. What can be causing this? She seems to have lost interest in her hygiene. Then some days she seems “normal “ I am concerned there is something wrong but her bloodwork comes back fine her MRI was normal. Is there something else I can ask from the doctors? I wish I could post the video of her making this noise so you could understand what I mean. She isn’t humming a tune it’s grunting like after every breathe she takes….
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Has she been tested for COPD?
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2 ReactionsYes that’s what the doctor suspected at first. She doesn’t have COPD. He did give her an inhaler but it doesn’t seem to be working. Before that he gave her prescription strength mucinex that didn’t work as well.
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1 ReactionCould it possibly be acid reflux.
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2 ReactionsIt’s not that either.The noise she makes is like someone saying mmhmm constantly but she does it harmoniously. If that makes sense
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1 ReactionI don't know about this noise but you might ask her doctors whether it could be stridor, a symptom of multiple system atrophy (MSA), another synucleinopathy. My wife was recently diagnosed, after a 4-year ordeal of seeking a diagnosis, as having MSA with predominant parkinsonism. In her case, early parkinsonism (shuffling, bradykinesia) plus disequilibrium and falls were a "red flag" for MSA (or should have been - her original doctors missed it) . She is now experiencing both urinary retention and incontinence as well. I understand that parkinsonism with early autonomic symptoms, like incontinence, may also be a red flag for MSA.
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3 Reactions@teerae95 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It’s a pretty difficult job you’ve taken on and I certainly respect you for it! I hope your husband also recognizes how difficult it must be for you! You mentioned her cough, her incontinence and Parkinsonism. Is the grunting cough something new? Do the doctors know what it is? Since the doctors don’t seem to think that anything can be done about anything, I would suggest that you check around for a good gerontologist. They are medical doctors who specialize in the aged adult. This doctor probably has some good ideas about how to handle your MIL’s condition and can answer your questions. You can try asking the Medical Society in your town or the hospitals.
Does this sound reasonable to you? Please stay in touch with me!
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6 ReactionsThank you I will ask about MSA.
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3 ReactionsI forgot to mention that my wife has also recent started coughing (typically when eating or drinking) and due to MSA we caregivers have to be extremely careful and watchful for any signs of difficulty with swallowing.
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2 ReactionsI also forgot to mention she is taking carbidopa levodopa. I wondering if it’s a side effect…
She has no trouble eating in fact she has a GREAT appetite especially for sweets.
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1 ReactionMy husband has dementia. There are days when he seems himself, other days are hard. His behavior this weekend was unsafe landing him in the hospital. No amount of reasoning with him could stop his unsafe behavior. Now I am faced with how do I keep him safe? Does anyone else deal with this journey?
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