How does PD kill?

[kaypeeoh]

The news just said Robert Downey Sr died of PD in his sleep yesterday at age 91. Foolish question, but how does one die of PD? My understanding is PD is neurologic meaning nerves quit functioning? The brain stops sending messages to the heart?

[silvestrov]

The number one cause of death from Parkinson's disease is aspiration pneumonia which, by the way is also the number one cause for people progressive supranuclear palsy:

"Progressive supranuclear palsy worsens over time and can lead to life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia and swallowing problems." mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

"Objective: Dysphagia is the main cause of aspiration pneumonia and death in Parkinson disease (PD)....." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/210...

"Causes of death, with special reference to cerebral haemorrhage, among 240 patients with pathologically verified Parkinson's disease were investigated using the Annuals of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan from 1981 to 1985. The leading causes of death were pneumonia and bronchitis (44.1%), malignant neoplasms (11.6%), heart diseases (4.1%), cerebral infarction (3.7%) and septicaemia (3.3%)." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/235...

[jeeves19 in reply to silvestrov]

Blimey. Long time no see. You okay?

[silvestrov in reply to jeeves19]

Hi Jeeves, I am fine and thanks for asking. I have been super busy with a bunch of things, especially the art show I was in, and after the event I have a little bit more time to hang out here. How are you?

[jeeves19 in reply to silvestrov]

Could be better Rich, could be worse. I have an attitude problem that means when I fight the disease hard, I actually manage a reasonable semi-reversal of symptoms. To a slob such as I this is licence to go back to not exercising, eating what I want, not fasting etc. Maybe one day I’ll learn that this is a battle for life. Bummer. But glad you’re doing well. All the best.

[laglag in reply to jeeves19]

Keep fighting Jeeves, don't give up! 🥊

[jeeves19 in reply to laglag]

Not much choice Debbie 😂

[Astra7 in reply to silvestrov]

Well that’s something to look forward to!

[ddmagee1 in reply to Astra7]

NOT!

[LindaP50]

I've read and heard one doesn't die FROM Parksinon's Disease but rather from complications of PD such as pneumonia, etc.

[gginto]

Apparently u don't die from PD you die with it... what gets u are the symptoms around the late stages condition, primarily pneumonia. This is where my Dad is now- in hospital but he has a bad bladder infection from what the doctors said taking all the meds and not drinking enough water with them.. He also is gagging a lot and we fear he might end up with fluid on the lungs- not good- They are pureeing all his food so he doesn't choke and goes into his lungs.

[ddmagee1 in reply to gginto]

I hear this, and read this all the time, where people and Institutions say that PWP don’t die from PD, and so, if one has to get a neurodegenerative disease, this one isn’t so bad. That implies, to some people, that, perhaps, PD is an annoyance type, chronic ailment, but it’s not so bad, that you can die from it! In my opinion, as one who has had PD, for a number of years, that is misleading thinking! Gagging and having trouble swallowing is not particularly fun, but, rather, can be life-threatening. It has been well established that loss of neurons, in Parkinson’s is, the cause, of dysphagia, as a PD symptom, which, as in my case, slows down the entire digestive system process! I get constipation at times, that is painful, along with the swallowing difficulties. I have to always, be careful what I eat. Too much bread in my mouth, trying to swallow, can gag me, etc. Another example, is that my heartbeat would speed up, and I’d have problems, where I’d get chest pain, because PD has affected my autonomic system. My neurologist put me on heart regulating medicine, that keeps my rate lower, not higher. I could go on and on, but I won’t! Instead, the reality that I am facing, is that because of PD, there are times, when I could be at risk, for a fatal outcome! So, those that may think PD is a walk in the park, compared to, some other neurodegenerative diseases, that is not necessarily true, for many PD sufferers. I like to think that PWP are like snowflakes. Each case is different. Some people have more mild symptoms, that can be treated, than others. Medicines are treatments, not cures. Anyway, enough of this diatribe. I believe I got my point across! I am so very sorry that your Dad has primary pneumonia, and a bladder infection! I can empathize with the gagging. Pureeing food is a good thing. Hoping for the best for your Dad, so that he can recover from the infection, and pneumonia! Your Dad is in my prayers.

[Kwinholt in reply to ddmagee1]

It is so true. I get tired of hearing that PWP don’t die from PD. A little part of me dies everyday. As someone that was diagnosed with cancer and PD, at least with cancer I knew I had hope of recovery , with PD , you can figure out strategies but the bottom line is , you will progress and get worse. Unless someone has PD, they will not understand. And it is true we all have our own journey but we understand each other. Take care. Karen

[ddmagee1 in reply to Kwinholt]

Thanks for your understanding Karen! I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness! Doug

[laglag in reply to Kwinholt]

Well said Karen!

[beehive23]

my chest wall mscles are rigid and my lungs are collapsing from that i am in chronic respiratory failure due to pd. I am 53 had pd since 33.

[blogger_7 in reply to beehive23]

Yikes! Beehive23, I'm sorry to learn of your situation. My prayers are for you.

[gginto in reply to beehive23]

Is there anything that can help relieve the rigid chest muscles? After 20 years of pd What other chronic issues do u have may I ask? Take care!

[beehive23 in reply to gginto]

carbo-levo relieves rigidity, opiates, .....sleep issues REM sleep disorder...nightmares...pain, pain, pain....severe dystonia and torticullis, peripheral neuropathy...balance , severe tremor and dystonic storms......hang tough

[kaypeeoh]

".... The leading causes of death were pneumonia and bronchitis (44.1%), malignant neoplasms (11.6%), heart diseases (4.1%), cerebral infarction (3.7%) and septicaemia (3.3%)."

I guess that answers my question. Pneumonia can mean fluid in the lungs but not an infection. If the chest wall is rigid the bronchial tubes cannot "squeeze" fluid along and it floods the small air passages. I was a veterinarian for 40 years. In dogs and cats the most common condition of age was valvular heart disease. Specifically the mitral valve. An incompetent valve keeps arterial blood flowing backwards into the lungs. It can lead to pneumonia but it could lead instead to liver failure for the same reason, excess fluid in the liver rather than the lungs.

My wife has valvular disease but medication is working. She spends much of the day working in the yard. And travels for women's basketball championship in Hartford.