dropped head syndrome

Hello @puhaha and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of the new problem your mom developed after COVID. From your post, I understand that your mom already has a diagnosis of Parkinson's. Is that correct? If so, have you contacted her doctor regarding this new problem? If not, please do so. Perhaps the doctor can offer suggestions on how she can deal with this.

I found some information about this from the National Institue of Health website. Here is a link to that article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621852/

I would encourage you to read this so that you have a better understanding of what can be done to help individuals with this problem.

Will you keep in touch and let me know how she is doing?

thanks for the info. yes she was diagnosed as parkinson's (I understand that dropped head is a more common sympom in MSA). the doctor has recommnended PT but we haven't seen much improvements so far...

@puhaha

Sometimes it takes time for the muscles/nerves to regenerate and work again. Keep encouraging the PT as well as home exercises if she is directed to do that by her physical therapist.

Will you post again and let me know how she is doing?

My husband is 79 and he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s this year after a bad fall. He has had tremors for years, but was never diagnosed with Parkinson’s. My question is, “Is it normal to stay tired and very sleepy a lot”? He is getting choked a lot when he drinks as well? Neurologist is scheduling him for a swallowing test.

I wonder if botox injections might help. I had a friend with Cervical Dystonia (which is similar in appearance to dropped head but structurally different) and she got some relief from the injections. I’m no doctor but it might be worth asking about. I hope she gets some relief from the PT.

Hello @lovetony1989 and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. You mention that your husband was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. Was the tiredness and fatigue a problem for him before his diagnosis? Has he been prescribed meds for his PD, such as Sinemet or others?

For lots of us with PD fatigue is a common symptom we share. Probably related to the PD itself and also to the medications we need. Since your husband's diagnosis and medication, how is he feeling overall. Is he avoiding falls and balance problems.

Regarding the swallowing issues, that can also come with a PD diagnosis. I'm glad to hear that he will be having a swallowing test. The results of that test should provide his doctor with some good information. How long has he had the problem of swallowing/choking?

After the swallowing test, a speech therapist might be quite helpful. Speech therapists are very good resources for PD patients, and they have therapies and exercises to help with swallowing issues. I would suggest that you ask his doctor for a referral to a speech therapist.

Does your husband have balance problems or foot dragging now? What about physical therapy? Has his doctor given him a referral for PT? Physical exercise combined with the meds is a great combination for dealing with PD symptoms and helping to keep the symptoms under control.

I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to post with other questions and provide updates?