Cure for atypical parkinsonism?

My dads doc now says that my father has atypical parkinsonism. How does this differ from PD? What is the cure for atypical parkinsonism?

[bassofspades]

I was told i have atypical parkinsonism too. The difference is you dont have all the classic symptoms, just some. I believe its just an early stage of the game and treat it as if you want to prevent progression to full blown pd. In other words, eliminate any and all possible causes.

[Jmsbradord]

Hi! My mother suffers from what is called atypical PD... More precisely vascular parkinsons. I am including a link about that form of PD. But you may wish to find out what type of parkinsonism your father has - it's not all the same! Good luck!

bcm.edu/healthcare/care-cen...

[Hidden in reply to Jmsbradord]

Thank you so much. But what is strange is that the doctor did say to my father 'maybe you dont have parkinson but we are trying to see if there is any cure to your slow movement and imbalance etc"

[Jmsbradord in reply to Hidden]

Hi again - for many doctors, even neurologists, PD is not very well known and understood! Prescribing meds is easy, and while dopamine can help (it does for my mother) increasing the dose can have the reverse effect... I would suggest seeing a Parkinsons specialist in order to possibly rule out PD! For many of us in this forum, PD, even atypical PD, is a journey, and a very confusing one filled with harsh realities to boot! In my mother's case, we had many of the clues available (probably even for years), but nobody (doctors) took the time to explain to us or even knew how to join the dots. Hang in there... Finding the right doctor is key. Keep us posted!

[Hidden in reply to Jmsbradord]

Thank you so much

[GymBag]

I am sorry but this is not good news. It can also be referred to as Parkinson's Plus but the plus is not to the patients benefit. I have copied a small portion of some information and I will give you a link to that site. Basically it is one of the deseaces that resembles PD but does not respond to any PD medication and there may be more than in that list . There is a group here at Health Unlocked that is specifically for these deseaces. I will also give links to them so that you may discuss with others in the same situation . The doctors need to identify which PD + and will have some treatment. At this time like PD there is no cure and it is going to get worse but there is very little medication to help and deterioration is usually much quicker. Like I said not good news.

THE FOLLOWING WAS COPIED FROM WEBSITE :

hopkinsmedicine.org/healthl...

THERE ARE MANY SUCH SITES

"Atypical Parkinsonian disorders are progressive diseases that present with some of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but that generally do not respond well to drug treatment with levodopa. They are associated with abnormal protein buildup within brain cells.

The term refers to several conditions, each affecting particular parts of the brain and showing a characteristic course:

- Dementia with Lewy bodies, characterized by an abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in brain cells (“synucleinopathy”)

- Progressive supranuclear palsy, involving tau protein buildup (“tauopathy”) affecting the frontal lobes, brainstem, cerebellum and substantia nigra

- Multiple system atrophy, another synucleinopathy that affects the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls internal functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, urination digestion), substantia nigra and at times the cerebellum

- Corticobasal syndrome, a rare tauopathy that typically affects one side of the body more than the other and makes it difficult for patients to see and navigate through space

What are the symptoms of atypical Parkinsonian disorders?

Like classic Parkinson’s disease, atypical Parkinsonian disorders cause muscle stiffness, tremor, and problems with walking/balance and fine motor coordination.

Patients with atypical Parkinsonism often have some degree of difficulty speaking or swallowing, and drooling can be a problem. Psychiatric disturbances such as agitation, anxiety or depression may also be part of the clinical picture.

HERE at HealthUNLOCKED there are several communiities

healthunlocked.com/psp

Go to MY HUB at top and browse communities

or go to search at top right and enter PSP or parkinsons plus

and of course you are always welcome here

Good Luck

[Hidden in reply to GymBag]

Thank you so much