Symptoms of Parkinson’s: Don’t suffer in silence

By Gillian Slade on June 27, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

Don’t suffer in silence.

There are a host of symptoms you may not normally associate with Parkinson’s disease, and there may be simple solutions or tweaks to make them more tolerable, said Dr. Anne-Mary Abe, neuropsychiatrist and adult psychiatrist at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, in her talk at a local Parkinson Association education event on Tuesday.

Other than tremors and stiffness, which are typical of Parkinson’s, there may be sleep issues, pain, urinary and bowel problems, depression and anxiety, but you don’t have to suffer on your own in silence.

Some symptoms may be related to medications that may need to be adjusted. Others may have been there before a diagnosis of Parkinson’s was even made. Sleep issues can be one of the first symptoms. For some it is not sleeping at night and difficulty staying awake during the day. Abe suggests having a schedule in place, a structure of activity during the day, so there are not as many opportunities to sleep during the day.

For about 60 per cent of those living with Parkinson’s, depression can be an issue or feelings of anxiety. For others there is a feeling of apathy, not having any motivation and the fact that nothing brings joy, said Abe. In some cases tweaking the medication can make the difference.

There are other symptoms such as impulsivity, gambling, spending and increased sexual desires that are noticed by family members who recognize a change in their loved one. These could be related to the dopamine in the medication.

There is dopamine in three areas of the brain: frontal, basal ganglia and the hippocampus. The existing dopamine levels may be different in each of those areas but the medication does not distinguish this and sends the same quantity of dopamine to all. An adjustment to the medication may be necessary.

Memory issues can be associated with Parkinson’s. There is a medication for this and there are some lifestyle memory tools that can be helpful. Start with your family physician and there are some memory groups in the Hat that are valuable, said Abe.

Sometimes the memory issues are related to sensory deprivation that can be linked to hearing difficulties. Keep hearing aides turned on, she said.

“It’s important we have stimulation to keep our brains active,” said Abe.

Falls can also be related to medication. Sometimes people have been on blood pressure medication and then experience a drop in blood pressure after a Parkinson’s diagnosis. However they may have remained on their blood pressure medication that is now making them feel dizzy or light headed.

For anyone with a chronic illness it is important to plan ahead, said Abe. Consider finances, driving a vehicle, a support network, make a list of medical contacts from nurses to doctors and specialists. Make a note of the times you are to be given your medications if you are in hospital.

“Plan how you’d like to be looked after,” said Abe. Decide who you want to make decisions on your behalf if there is a time, even temporarily, when you are not able to.

Abe has a clinic in Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and one on Strachan Road. Referrals can be made by a family physician.

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