Voice Change & Balance
 

My dad is doing pretty well since seeing the "Parkinsons Doctor" in NYC(he lives in FL but visits us in NY) but he is noticing his voice change and his balance is a little unsteady. Again, he is in great shape. He use to be a very serious triathlete and marathoner and he still bikes very often.

Any suggestions for his voice and balance change? Thanks.

PS. I am going to have him try the Mucuna powder.

in my 11th year after diagnosis, when undermedicated, my voice becomes very soft, i stutter, and my balance worsens. when "on", i'm ok.

i'd talk to his dr. on increasing his sinemet if he's on it, you mentioned he was on it in previous posts, assuming it isn't too high already, and if that helps, maybe replace a little with mucana. but imho the most important thing is to increase his quality of life, if he can't exercise and is depressed that will like have a worse affect than increasing his meds. but you need to talk to his doctor armed with the best info you can find. exercise is very important imho.

Dear Horsegoer,

I should think muscle degeneration is causing this voice change. Our voice is a strong muscle that can be exercised to the point of being an opera singer. Unused the muscle starts to weaken. (This is the reason for losing your voice when you have a throat infection or if you are really nervous, your voice can dramatically falter). So when the voice muscle is weakened through a disease, the voice will naturally change.
Balance issues are a well known part of the disease. it's called "retropulsion" and is due to the natural ability to steady oneself deteriorating. But unsteadiness worsening could also simply be anxiety at this new sensation and the fear of falling.

I wish you well.

Suggestion
 

When your dad is out biking, tell him to sing louder than the birds. No kidding, joining a commnunity choir is the best throat exercise for the larynix.
He can scat sing, sing Hymns, music from his favorite musicals or Operetta's. Gilbert & Sullivan have wonderful music for men. He might try to extend his range or work on ways to breath from the sides as well as shallow breaths.

:D"I am a Pirate King":D
Dianna