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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Loss Of Balance With Sudden Sleepiness And Purple Skin?

My brother is 68 years old. He has had throat cancer and is a survivor. He has had heart failure. He has several problems. He shuffles when he walks, he looses his balance and almost falls over, He falls asleep while you are talking to him and his left lower leg is a dark purple. He has been to a plumminary doctor, a heart doctor and a kidney specialist. according to him they say he is fine. He does admit that he doesn't feel well. He lives alone. Can you advise me?
Mon, 3 Nov 2014
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Geriatrics Specialist 's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows.
1. Need to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Atleast 8-9 hours in night is essential.
2. Walking, loosing balance indicates possible neurological dysfunction. Need to meet a neurologist to rule out Parkinson or other movement disorder.
3. Due to repeated fall or block in blood vessel, he is having purple skin. He need to meet a physician at earliest to get a PT, aPTT done to evaluate risk of thrombosis. Color doppler of left lower leg can detect any abnormality.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
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What Causes Loss Of Balance With Sudden Sleepiness And Purple Skin?

Hi, Thanks for asking. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows. 1. Need to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Atleast 8-9 hours in night is essential. 2. Walking, loosing balance indicates possible neurological dysfunction. Need to meet a neurologist to rule out Parkinson or other movement disorder. 3. Due to repeated fall or block in blood vessel, he is having purple skin. He need to meet a physician at earliest to get a PT, aPTT done to evaluate risk of thrombosis. Color doppler of left lower leg can detect any abnormality. Hope it helps. Any further queries, happy to help again.