Urgent advice needed

[Staffielover123]

Hi all. This is probably an unconventional post. My father was diagnosed with MSA and soon after diagnosis, as a family, we found out that he has been looking at pornography, contacting women to chat, and paying women money in exchange for explicit photos. We have contacted a social worker who advised us to put Power of Attorney in place. I think that this is so that a mental capacity assessment can take place in the near future as most likely my father will be losing mental capacity, and it will worsen over time. The POA is now in process of being registered. He is now looking at pornographic material and contacting women 24/7. My mother has had enough and confiscated his phone and laptop but he is being extremely difficult around the house , blaming the grandchildren and insulting them. My niece and sister live there so we are very concerned about the environment and the effect on my niece so we had no choice but to remove the offensive material. I’m however worried that we do not have the powers to confiscate his belongings, even though it is causing mental and emotional harm to the family living there. I will be speaking to the social worker tomorrow but I’m wondering if anyone has any advice also? Thank you.

[esj20]

Hi, a difficult one to answer, I’m afraid I cannot offer any advice although I do wish you well.

kindest regards

Alec

[Gill-C]

How very difficult and painful for you. It sounds like you are doing all the right things - your priority is of course protecting the young ones and speaking to the social worker is important.

I know nothing about this at all, but it sounds like some form of dementia. This behaviour isn’t really your father. I would suggest an urgent consultant’s appointment.

All good wishes. Stay strong.

Gill

[Ruffner]

Is your father on any dopamine drugs typically prescribed for Parkinson's Disease? Some of these drugs can cause addictive behaviors. Early on in my Parkinson's disease diagnosis I was put on a dopamine antagonist drug that sent me on a shopping spree totally uncharacteristic of me. Dopamine drugs can be very helpful for some of the symptoms of PD and MSA-PD but can also cause addictive behaviors.

[Staffielover123 in reply to Ruffner]

Hi Ruffner. Yes he is indeed and this has crossed my mind again recently. I will also contact the GP for advice although I’m sure my sister had already mentioned this to the GP.

[1burtonst in reply to Ruffner]

That is what I was going to sergest. My hubby gets sexual urges but I know its his tablets X

[FredaE]

yes i agree with ruffner in whih case it is simply a matter of dealing with the medicine urgently. some people go infor gambling and spend all their cash efore anyone knows. This is an emergency and you can take emergency measures.. if your house is onfire you take water from the village pond and sort out thelegal stuff later although no lawyer will ever give that advice. nasty business

[TK-67]

this can be a side effect to Parkinson’s drugs, these become less effective in MSA and the side effects more severe. It’s worth calling the MSA Trust and taking through the drugs your dad is on with one of the nurses. My mum showed extreme behaviour too and it turned out to be this. The LPOA (both health and finance) is a good idea anyway.

[Whitefeather1]

My friend experienced some extreme behaviour which was totally out of character for her, I can't remember which medication she was taking at the time but when she told her neurologist they stopped a med and the behaviour stopped. I hope this helps.

[SamanthaMSAT Moderator Staff]

Dear Staffielover123,

I am sorry to hear that you and your family are having to deal with such a delicate and upsetting situation.

Parkinson's medications can cause hypersexuality, increased gambling, shopping, overeating etc. It isn't common in MSA.

I would suggest your Mother discusses this with his local Parkinson's nurse specialist or his Neurologist to discuss ways to slowly reduce any medication that could be causing this (they shouldn't be stopped suddenly).

People with MSA still have the capacity to make decisions, and do not develop a dementia, but he may not be aware of his behaviour currently or how it is causing upset.

You can contact us at the MSA Trust if you wish to discuss this further.

Kind regards, Samantha. MSAT nurse specialist.

[Staffielover123 in reply to SamanthaMSAT]

Dear Samantha

Thank you for your advice as a nurse specialist. I will discuss this with her ASAP.

[leroybrown]

Hi Staffielover123,

I am very sorry to read of this situation. As others have written here compulsive behaviour can be a side effect of some of the Parkinson's medication. It is one of the first questions that my wife's neurologist asks at each appointment, but thankfully for us this has not been an issue.

[Kaye31]

I have no experience but it can be an effect of the MSA. I know on all the paperwork we co tiny ally complete it always ask questions leading to this and gambling.

It may be a simple case of tweaking the medications as there are a lot of MSA drugs which cause behaviours such as this.

Contact your consultant and or GP

[Staffielover123]

Thank you all for your advice. It appears that the behaviours couid be related to the medication. I will contact the GP and nurse specialist ASAP.