[Horsegoer]

I just read an old pot from Fiona how he was misdiagnosed. I feel many docs are incompetent and lack the interest and knowledge to give a patient the care they deserve . My dad has been to a few neurologists and a movement disorder specialist and they have all confirmed his PD but he meds given to him are not helping but maybe hey are not progressing the disease. He is on Sinemet now. Is that very tough to come off of and if so how should he do it? I really wantno start him on a natural/home remedy type of plan hat will help him with his biggest symptoms .... Anxiousness/nervous and he "lack of motivation" depressed mindset. Can anyone help? Thanks very much.

[reverett123]

Horsegoer-
I wouldn't assume that he had PD. If he did the effect of the sinemet would be greater. And anxiety, etc could be anything. PD is a junk diagnosis and misdiagnosis is common. Try an endocrinologist?

Originally Posted by Horsegoer

I just read an old pot from Fiona how he was misdiagnosed. I feel many docs are incompetent and lack the interest and knowledge to give a patient the care they deserve . My dad has been to a few neurologists and a movement disorder specialist and they have all confirmed his PD but he meds given to him are not helping but maybe hey are not progressing the disease. He is on Sinemet now. Is that very tough to come off of and if so how should he do it? I really wantno start him on a natural/home remedy type of plan hat will help him with his biggest symptoms .... Anxiousness/nervous and he "lack of motivation" depressed mindset. Can anyone help? Thanks very much.

[Horsegoer]

Originally Posted by reverett123

Horsegoer-
I wouldn't assume that he had PD. If he did the effect of the sinemet would be greater. And anxiety, etc could be anything. PD is a junk diagnosis and misdiagnosis is common. Try an endocrinologist?

Thanks. He did that about a year ago.

[Horsegoer]

Ok, a little off subject. Like I said I am on vacation visiting my dad. He said in the last two days he has felt like congestion in his head and it's like when you hold a sea shell up to ocean ... That type is sound he is having now.

[Horsegoer]

Originally Posted by Horsegoer

Ok, a little off subject. Like I said I am on vacation visiting my dad. He said in the last two days he has felt like congestion in his head and it's like when you hold a sea shell up to ocean ... That type is sound he is having now.

He is going to doctor now . Said it feels like his head is clogged .

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by Horsegoer

He is going to doctor now . Said it feels like his head is clogged .

Hope you report back. I tried to post on he head clog but kept losing content.

I was going to say that it may still be PD but that your dad seemed undermedicated. The seashore and clogged head sensation I call brain fog. It happens in between med dosages. One dose of levodopa may last for anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours. If your dad is given a standard 3 times a day dose this may not be adequate for him to feel "on" or normal.

Worse, I'd say is the state I call brain fog. It is a limbo state where your meds don't entirely kick in, and your brain responds by going into a partial sleep mode. Feel like cotton balls stuffed in your head. Meanwhile your brain is craving dopamine so little else matters, the brain fog lifts and we're all off a sudden clear as a bell in the head. So when you notice his anxiety is worse and that he lacks motivation; think of how uncomfortable you would feel if your head felt only half connected?

As for home remedies...wish there were one. In the meantime you can change his diet, get him exercising or moving somehow how each day. Make sure he eats dopamine enhancing foods like banana and fava. Can't stress how important exercise is in keeping anxiety under control.

What happened at the doctor?

Laura

[Evonne]

Laura,
That is the best description of brain fog I have heard. It totally makes sense, too.

Horsegoer,
I hope that your dad gets the kind of care that he deserves. Diagnosis is not an easy road for many. Please keep us updated.

Thanks

[Horsegoer]

Originally Posted by Conductor71

Hope you report back. I tried to post on he head clog but kept losing content.

I was going to say that it may still be PD but that your dad seemed undermedicated. The seashore and clogged head sensation I call brain fog. It happens in between med dosages. One dose of levodopa may last for anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours. If your dad is given a standard 3 times a day dose this may not be adequate for him to feel "on" or normal.

Worse, I'd say is the state I call brain fog. It is a limbo state where your meds don't entirely kick in, and your brain responds by going into a partial sleep mode. Feel like cotton balls stuffed in your head. Meanwhile your brain is craving dopamine so little else matters, the brain fog lifts and we're all off a sudden clear as a bell in the head. So when you notice his anxiety is worse and that he lacks motivation; think of how uncomfortable you would feel if your head felt only half connected?

As for home remedies...wish there were one. In the meantime you can change his diet, get him exercising or moving somehow how each day. Make sure he eats dopamine enhancing foods like banana and fava. Can't stress how important exercise is in keeping anxiety under control.

What happened at the doctor?

Laura

Actually he is going to an ENT doctor Thursday but from you describe this may not me an ENT related thing he is feeling. How does this brain fog go away?

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by Horsegoer

Actually he is going to an ENT doctor Thursday but from you describe this may not me an ENT related thing he is feeling. How does this brain fog go away?

Minor detail, huh? The brain fog goes away when our medication kicks in. A couple other things I meant to ask. Does your dad feel like this all the time? Or just in between doses of Sinemet?

Also, if you don't mind sharing...what are his primary physical or "motor" symptoms? For PD diagnosis the doctor must observe at least two of four cardinal signs: tremor, rigidity, slowed movement, and postural instability.
Do you notice a difference in how he moves in relation to taking his meds? If you see none back to neurologist.

Easiest thing though is to ask your dad. We have what we call an "on" and "off" with meds. When we are on, no clear thinking, move normally for most part and some of us show no symptoms. When "off" the brain fog takes over and we show our symptoms. Should be easy to observe.

The brain fog can tell you a lot though. If he feels that most of the time then he may be under-medicated. If he has periods of clarity then dosages too far apart. If he doesn't respond at all and never has then I think most neuros would want too reassess.

[Horsegoer]

Originally Posted by Conductor71

Minor detail, huh? The brain fog goes away when our medication kicks in. A couple other things I meant to ask. Does your dad feel like this all the time? Or just in between doses of Sinemet?

Also, if you don't mind sharing...what are his primary physical or "motor" symptoms? For PD diagnosis the doctor must observe at least two of four cardinal signs: tremor, rigidity, slowed movement, and postural instability.
Do you notice a difference in how he moves in relation to taking his meds? If you see none back to neurologist.

Easiest thing though is to ask your dad. We have what we call an "on" and "off" with meds. When we are on, no clear thinking, move normally for most part and some of us show no symptoms. When "off" the brain fog takes over and we show our symptoms. Should be easy to observe.

The brain fog can tell you a lot though. If he feels that most of the time then he may be under-medicated. If he has periods of clarity then dosages too far apart. If he doesn't respond at all and never has then I think most neuros would want too reassess.

Thanks conductor. I just back from visiting him. I will ask him. THanks.