Forwards, backwards!

[Beanie57]

Can anyone give us a clue. My PWP was admitted to a care home for short stay. Was fine then suddenly one morning walking in the typical Parkinson's stooped forward gait. We are presuming this response is stress related which lasted until she got home

Now at home she feels like she is now being drawn backwards when she stands up, hence falls and currently in bed all the time. She is now standing sitting more upright and not stooping forward in her posture at all. I am a retired nurse and stood her up. On walking found it easier to walk back wards using my arms like a walker but did not get very far because i could feel her pulling backwards- again this happened suddenly. Wondering if any of you wonderful people have a magic wand🧞

[Look4Good]

Wondering if they may have either changed her meds or given new ones while in facility. Our doctor has added some to our list, as tho they are allergies, because of the adverse reactions for Parkinson’s disease.

[Beanie57 in reply to Look4Good]

They did increase her Anti-depressants (Venlafaxine) to a higher dose , but after 1 week it was reduced back to the original dose she was on before going into the care home. She has never experienced this falling backwards feeling before on the original dose. Its now been 4 weeks since she returned back to 150mg.

[LAJ12345 in reply to Look4Good]

that was my thoughts too.

[pearlette]

A former colleague of mine (geriatrician who oversaw admission of PWP in acute wards) insisted that even temporary constipation could trigger some absorption of levodopa .

The daily care plan was always make sure that this was checked . I have heard other old age physicians say this too

Personally I find just having a full rectum has more of an effect on me than eating protein close to my levodopa meds. I have never had constipation so this may be my sensitive colon neurons.

My own personal view of looking after inpatients with added Parkinsonism (in my physician days) was that the new environment, not being able to call a carer for help, feeling unsure of reaching the bathroom and change of food and timings of medicines are all major culprits.

Some care homes also need medicines represcribed by their own duty doctor in primary care leading to delays in dispensing a drug for use.

Hope this helps

[shirlzoni]

Make sure there is no UTI as this or any other infection can worsen neuro symptoms and cause new ones temporarily. Given that she was an inpatient it’s possible she picked up something while in the facility. Maybe check for inner ear infection as well. Best of luck!

[Hikoi]

davisphinneyfoundation.org/...

I presume you are asking aabout her pulling backwards. If you are herde issome information.

[Beanie57 in reply to Hikoi]

Yes I am - but we are struggling to get her physio, so will present them with your link. Thank you. She was constipated but that has been resolved. Urine was checked no definite UTI ( no nitrates present) but some protein and cloudy so was treated with AB.