Help! Early stage PD dementia?

[Arlington7]

I am panicked that I may have early stage PD dementia. I don't usually have dreams, but last nite I awoke at 3 a.m. at the moment I was "seeing" a honey bee inching toward me. It's the middle of winter, so this was clearly a hallucination. (I have a phobia about bees.) I've also noticed in the last few weeks that I'm having some difficulty putting complex ideas into spoken sentences. I was diagnosed with PD 3 yrs ago but probably had it for a few years before that diagnosis. Any idea how long it takes for PD dementia to progress from mild to advanced? Is it months or years? I am currently on a low dose of levocarb (sinemet). What drug is my neurologist likely to prescribe for me now? For the 1st time since my diagnosis, I am overcome with anxiety. I had hoped and thought I might still have 2 o3 decent years at least. Now I'm anxious.

[Xenos]

Hi Arlington. Not every PWP will develop dementia. I have read figures varying from 20-30 percent to 80 percent. It means nobody knows.

Hallucinations are not linked to dementia. It can be transient low tolerance to L-Dopa.

Reading your post, I am tempted to say it's hypnagogic hallucination, at the border between dreams and real - if I dare say - hallucinations. I had two or three episodes like that shortly after diagnosis, four years ago. It never came back.

[parkie13]

You could try 5 - 10 mg Melatonin before going to bed.

[alexask]

Sounds more like a very lurid dream. I would second the Melatonin. I am at 10 mg at the moment.

[GymBag]

I had hallucinations when I was in hospital after an operation from a reaction to a specific pain killer. I know how real they can seem. I suspect that your honey bee is either an extension of a dream (sleep walking ) or a reaction to something and I think it could be Levocarb but it could be a lot of other things as well. Your family doctor can probably be as much help as you need for this investigation .

The last reports that I read on PD and cognitive problems greatly reduced the chances of dementia and the severity associated with PD, and said that advanced PD presents speaking problems and that when your brain is almost 100 % involved in concentrating on moving specific muscles it has to take the odd thought to the back burner for a minute and this is seen as dementia, but it is not. Example tongue flicking . There are new medications that my brother who has Alzheimer has been given that are amazing .

I am 73 and I was diagnosed at about 55 and I started having concerns like yours five years ago , but it has not gotten much worse. It can be both the cause and result of panic attacks and stress. Try to relax, PD causes stress, stress brings on the PD almost immediately. no gain in screwing up today by worrying about tomorrow, and maybe work on that pessimism a bit. The glass is over half full and you have a long long way to go.

[Arlington7 in reply to GymBag]

Thanks, Gymbag, I appreciated your comments. I'm sure COVID-related stress is a factor.

[Sugarbear67]

Dear Arlington, How old are you and are you more stiff than tremor?

[Astra7]

You might need to increase your meds. Also consider mannitol - I’ve found it helps with mental clarity. Bit rough on the digestive system tho!!