Parkinson's Hallucinations?

My husband has times when he sees things that aren't there or will state or ask a question that has absolutely nothing to do with what is happening at the moment. This is not happening all the time and he comes right back to reality. He also has suffered some memory loss. Is this part of Parkinsons? He was diagnosed 15 years ago.

[Hidden]

send me an email, subject: Symptoms, [e-mail]

Some meds cause hallucinations

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[M_rosew]

Every time I see my neurologist one of the questions he asks is, "Do you ever see things that other people tell you aren't there?".

M

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to M_rosew]

I get asked the same questions from my neurologist, and then I remember I don't have a neurologist.

[shadesofnothing in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

Aw, neuros do their best, dontcha think?

[Serenity_finaly-1]

I have had hallucinations or at least I think I have. Its hard to tell when there is nobody else there to tell you your seeing things. It might take you hours to go through the events in your head and you reason (that really does not make sense, did I really see that?) On my current meds I have not had any hallucinations, or have I ?

[Hidden in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

what meds are you on?

[Hidden in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

I once read that 20% of Parkinson's patients have dementia, but I'm just wondering if my husbands hallucinations are dementia or from the meds.

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to Hidden]

I have convinced my self that not only was I low on dopamine but also serotonin. I went from amytriptoline anti depressant to Zoloft anti anxiety and 200 mg latter I am feeling the mental stability I have not felt in years.

[nourilo in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

Do you also take Sinamet?

[Hidden in reply to nourilo]

yes.

[4MCBFAMILY in reply to Hidden]

What about mirapex? Does he take that?

[Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to nourilo]

Not any more.

[TheresaCurley in reply to Serenity_finaly-1]

I take Zoloft. I'm very pleased with it.

[Hikoi in reply to Hidden]

Doesn't necessarily mean dementia and may not be the meds. It's part of PD but may be made worse or triggered by medication or stress or other illness etc.

[park_bear]

Yes, 15 years in, hallucinations are a part of Parkinson's. If he gets that they /are/ hallucinations, which seems like is the case, that is called hallucinations with insight.

[rhyspeace12]

When my husband first stared on his dopamine drugs he would sit in his chair by the window and talk about people he saw down at our fence line playing a game. It seemed so real to him. He asked my daughter if she could see them. I walked down to the fence line and he said they disappeared. I would say that after about 2 weeks, he stopped having hallucinations and has had none since. His mind works more slowly now, but I don't think he has dementia.

He had a really horrible time when he was on the sleeping drug Ambien. It knocked him for a loop for about 2 weeks. People thought he needed an intervention (thinking he was drinking.) That passed too.

[grower in reply to rhyspeace12]

sounds like you've had a rough time, glad it's not that way now

[PDDBSwife in reply to rhyspeace12]

PwP should NEVER take Ambien; it 'mimics' PD by working on the same brain waves.

[caitilin in reply to PDDBSwife]

I take Ambien occasionally. It has helped. Often, taking an additional dose of Sinemet, when I’m sleepless, does the job without side effects.

[PDDBSwife in reply to caitilin]

Hi Caitilin

Could be that you're early on in the disease (dx 2018, so maybe 3 years?). I still would watch out for it in more advanced disease = 10+ years. Ironically, insomnia and parasomnias are so common to PD, yet almost everything used as a sleeping aid goes belly-up. Bloody damned disease. Wishing you every miracle!

[caitilin in reply to PDDBSwife]

Thank you. Yes, I am early on in the disease. I was diagnosed 6/29/18. I'm fortunate that it's late onset though. I'm 70; and thinking I may have had symptoms in my mid-60s. I feel good now. Don't know what the future brings.

Be well,

Caitilin

[ringsrud]

My husband does exactly the same. Also, when not hallucinating, he has trouble finding words to express his thoughts - I'm talking about simple words/thoughts. And with his voice getting softer, we're having a very difficult time communicating. He has had Parkinson's for 13 years. Now we have started down the dementia path. Dr has mention placement as I have a blood disorder. But Currently we are using sitters esp at night because he has REM sleep disorder and some paralysis in his legs. This summer his bladder has been affected and we also have a feeding tube (PEG). Never knew this disease could rob a person of so many functions - I thought one with Parkinson's just had a tremor.

[Hidden in reply to ringsrud]

MY husband was diagnose 15 years ago and you have just described him exactly. It is so sad to see how he is robbed more every day of vital functions. With the help of home care aides have been able to keep him home so far.

[4MCBFAMILY in reply to ringsrud]

Wow! That's scary for me because I'm only 3 years diagnosed but had all symptoms for the past 5 years. I'm sorry and I hope it gets better but it is progressive so just hang in there. I have a little dementia and very often can't find the words to have a conversation. My wife is putting up with it like a champ but I see her concerns about what future holds for me in her eyes.

[grower in reply to 4MCBFAMILY]

my wife says it sounds like you have a really good attitude, she reckons that marriages are like libraries, you build up all those books in the good times and then take them out in the bad. Seems like you've built up a good supply to take from

[Hidden in reply to grower]

Please thank your wife for her kind words. We've been married 59 years and yes we had great times ... way more than down times. Known each other since we were teenagers so were friends first. But speaking of good attitudes, the award for that goes to my husband! That sure makes it easier for me. He rarely complains and is a very good patient to work with.

[Lincpolio in reply to ringsrud]

My husband has had symptoms and now in 23rd year... 16 years from diagnosis

and after a spell in hospital to untwist his bowel where his meds were messed up still having issues with hallucinations... Physically he is back to pre op but mentally its tough and getting tougher. How do you cope when you say you cannot hear or see what he is and he tells you you can and you are just playing a game. Then later he can laugh about it all remembering and apologising. However those times are geting less.

[Hidden in reply to Lincpolio]

I know what you mean. I am just thankful that he "comes back" and puts a smile on his face because he knows what he said or saw wasn't real. This keeps me going for now.

[madamebee in reply to ringsrud]

Sad and scary...feel so bad for you

[Donzim]

Read my posts on use of niacin for hallucinations.

[4MCBFAMILY]

Yes it does happen from time to time but he needs to talk to doctor and let him know. He will probably tweek his siniment or put him on an additional medicine along with siniment. I have stage 2 Parkinson's and I still have episodes like that just not as much. I know it's scary for you and him but just know it's just one of those things that happen as symptoms progress.

[4MCBFAMILY]

If he is taking mirapex along with siniment then ask doctor to lower mirapex dose or take him off of it all together. When I was taking both I kept hearing voices and seeing random stuff and actually got lost in my garage and couldn't remember how to get in my house.

[Hidden]

He's just on Sinemet now...stopped Mirapex. He has an imaginary dog that he sometimes goes out in the backyard to look for!

[Retireat64]

My husband has hullinacions at night while sleeping.also more trouble with processing, following steps and math.