Parkinson’s unresponsive episodes

Posted by bethv @bethv, Sep 16, 2018

My father, 93 years old, is suffering these unresponsive episodes, not to be confused with “freezing” of gait. The episode can last two hours and we think might be related to dehydration. Why can’t I find any mention of this in any web sites that describe Parkinson’s? Only in caregiver sites have I found any information. Is no one studying this phenomenon? There may be some connection here that needs investigation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

susan62 | @susan62 | Jun 15, 2019

Hi Lisa. Thx for asking. Things are going pretty well. I really shouldn’t have anything to complain about. My neurologist lowered my dose of Carbidopa/Levodopa down to 1 pill three times daily instead of the gradual increase to 2 pills three times a day. After doing this I felt MUCH better. I sometimes have a little nausea with the morning dose, but a cracker, a bit of bread or a few pretzels and a couple sips of ginger ale does the trick. My other symptoms have pretty much disappeared. Occasionally I will get a little low grade pain in my right arm, but it usually goes away after a short period of time. NOTHING like the pain I was having when first diagnosed. That had been by far the WORSE thing about my PD. I am continually grateful to God that things are so good. There are so many others who, by far, have it so much worse.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 12, 2019

In reply to @susan62 "Thx for your input Colleen!" + (show)

Hi, @susan62 - wondering how things are going with your Parkinson's symptoms and the low-grade nausea you mentioned?

@mshoggie - is your mom still experiencing the non-responsive episodes?

@judithanne - also wanted to check in with you about your mom and her unresponsive episodes. You talked about some new techniques suggested to you for managing it . If she's experienced another one, how are those working for her?

susan62 | @susan62 | Jun 12, 2019

Thx for your input Colleen!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 11, 2019

In reply to @susan62 "Hi! What great news that you are doing so well! Does your neurologist know you are..." + (show)

Hi @susan62, you were right to be skeptical about the post above claiming cure with natural remedies. A member reported the post. Upon investigation, it was discovered that this member was impersonating a patient who had discovered cure with herbal supplements. The information was medically inaccurate. Furthermore, commercial posts and advertisements are not permitted on Connect.

Thank you for your diligence is seeking reliable information.

susan62 | @susan62 | Jun 11, 2019

Hi! What great news that you are doing so well! Does your neurologist know you are using the herbal supplement? What does he/she think? Are you taking other PD meds? I must admit that I am skeptical about natural remedies, but certainly not closed minded. Would be WONDERFUL if something natural worked!!! Your response would be much appreciated. Thx.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 19, 2019

In reply to @judithanne "Hi, I have also posted below, but in case you don't see it - look for..." + (show)

@judithanne, You will be able to post links in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post was not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Cognitive fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease dementia: blood pressure liability as an underlying mechanism published in the Journal of Clinical Movement Disorders https://clinicalmovementdisorders.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40734-018-0068-4

mshoggie | @mshoggie | May 17, 2019

In reply to @judithanne "Hello everyone, My mom has these episodes too and I just came across this article. She..." + (show)

Thank you very much. I will take a look at the article.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 17, 2019

In reply to @judithanne "Hello everyone, My mom has these episodes too and I just came across this article. She..." + (show)

Hello @judithanne and welcome to Mayo Connect.

You have posted about unresponsiveness that many have discussed on Connect's Parkinson's (PD) discussion group. I appreciate the information and I hope that it will be helpful to @mshoggie, @chuckcallahan, @bethv, and others. I tried to search for the article that you referred to but I was not able to find it. Could you possibly tell me the name of the website and also the name of the author of the case study?

Have you tried any of these methods to see if they help your mom? I would be interested in knowing which ones helped the most, Is it the compression stockings, the elevated legs or the Nitro patches?

judithanne | @judithanne | May 17, 2019

In reply to @mshoggie "My mother is 86 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about 17 years ago. She has..." + (show)

Hi, I have also posted below, but in case you don't see it - look for this article (CASE REPORT) "Cognitive fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease dementia: blood pressure lability as an underlying mechanism". We are going to try this: basically, lying them flat and elevate the legs during the episode.

judithanne | @judithanne | May 17, 2019

Hello everyone, My mom has these episodes too and I just came across this article. She has gone anywhere from 5 -45 minutes of unresponsiveness, and her Blood pressure is all over (high and low). After reading this article (Cognitive fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease dementia: blood pressure lability as an underlying mechanism), we are going to try this: basically, lying them flat and elevate the legs during the episode. The Physician who last saw her also suggested coban wraps (compression stockings) and had also heard of a pt who wore Nitroglycerin patch at night (removed early am) and this helped with the swings in blood pressure.