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Suggest Advance Treatment Methods For Parkinson's Disease

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Posted on Sat, 2 May 2015
Question: My husband has advanced Dementia that was orginally diagnosed as Parkinson's without tremor. His neurologists said a diagnosis is impossible until postmortem. Are there any new drugs or protocols that you are aware of that I can try on him. He has been in and out of Hospice. I need an honest answer - short of playing God. What are his chances of long term survival if any. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No clinically proven new protocols exist for PD beyond 5 years.

Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome to hcm,

I understand your query and concern.

The basic pathology of Parkinson disease is to worsen with therapy after 5 years of onset.

Yes any form of stress will worsen the disease.

Its always a form of taking high risk when trying for new protocols in patients aged 70 and above in PD.

But still few therapies like Putative Neuroprotective agents,Deep brain stimulation and Neuroablative surgeries can be tried with success only in few selective cases.

Overall the lifespan at this point is well under 3-5 years.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.






Post your further queries if any,

Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (54 minutes later)
Thank you for your response.
Unlike Alzheimer's, my husband knows his family and friends. He has lost motor skills and the ability to speak/respond effectively in conversation. Is this typical for other forms of dementia?
If he becomes catatonic might he still be aware of his surroundings; even understand what we are saying? He is not irritable, aggravated nor in discomfort from what I can tell. Are there any statistics regarding care in the institutions vs home care in regards to longevity?
As he approaches death, will he suffer pain?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Pain perception is intact even in advance PD.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam.

I understand you concern.

This kind of loss of motor skills is not frequently associated other forms of Dementia.

He can still understand the situations in his environment despite being catatonic since sensory systems are largely preserved till the end of the disease.

For similar reasons ,he can still suffer pain while approaching death.

Hospice & Home care statistics and related information is available to some extent on following websites

For additional resources for managing advanced Parkinson’s disease, visit www.pdf.org/en/resourcelink
or
order a copy of PDF’s Parkinson’s Disease Resource List at (800) 457-6676 or www.pdf.org/en/broch

Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Suresh Heijebu

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 3646 Questions

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Suggest Advance Treatment Methods For Parkinson's Disease

Brief Answer: No clinically proven new protocols exist for PD beyond 5 years. Detailed Answer: Hi welcome to hcm, I understand your query and concern. The basic pathology of Parkinson disease is to worsen with therapy after 5 years of onset. Yes any form of stress will worsen the disease. Its always a form of taking high risk when trying for new protocols in patients aged 70 and above in PD. But still few therapies like Putative Neuroprotective agents,Deep brain stimulation and Neuroablative surgeries can be tried with success only in few selective cases. Overall the lifespan at this point is well under 3-5 years. Post your further queries if any. Thank you. Post your further queries if any, Thank you.