My husband recently has had a couple of episodes where he appears for a few seconds "out of it" and then returns to his normal self. He doesn't loose consciousness and says he is aware of what is happening around him but can't do anything. He is seeing his doctor next week so we will ask then. I was wondering if anyone else with psp has notice this happen?
Best wishes.Peter3
peter 3 yes mate i have the same problem my face and features look a bit blank or vacant at times=========== but there again ive been like that most of my life looking vacant is the word i wanted[ joke] dont let it worry you mate as long as we know whats going on thats the main thing --- and i do its just my face probably looks likes yours if you know what i mean \\ i, will not be beaten by this psp =peter jones queensland australia psp sufferer
Thanks Peter for your reply. Its reassuring to know it happens to others and that it probably isn't anything else lurking in the background being masked by psp.
I love your blogs along with Jill JudyJ and Sasha because they do help us carer's to understand what its like to have psp. Unfortunately, since even before my husband's diagnosis he has been very non communicative, in fact looking back this was one of the first symptoms he developed. He hasn't been able to use a computer for the last two years and shows no interest in doing so and certainly wouldn't be part of this valuable blogging community!
With your blogs I feel I have a slightly better understanding of my husband. So you are doing a great job from a very long distance. Thank you.
Mary a South West England Carer aka Peter3!
Yes my husband you prob niece it more yourself.
Dear Peter3,
My husband 'zones out' as he now describes it. It was the very first physical change noticed in him. Lead us to get John checked out thoroughly which lead to a diagnosis of epilepsy without epilepsy attacks. Later on a new neurologist made the diagnosis of PSP when the changes in his eyes were evident. It was a great concern to me so persuaded John to initally cut in driving and then stop altogether before doctors felt it was necessary. In hindsight I believe this was a good stance to take as I've since heard of the near misses others have had. (John was not to happy to do it at the time). My sense of logic of what is happening to John when these thingsoccur is there are some neural pathways are that are blocked and messages are finding a new pathway to take, hence John's brain goes through a bit of 'downtime' before recovery Yes my layman way of describing - for which I am sure the neurologist will have a much better way of describing (or contradicting) things to you.
Regards,
Alana - Western Australia
Thanks Alana, as I have said to Peter Jones it is reassuring to hear your response. I am always concerned that because psp produces so many signs and symptoms it can be easy to blame everything on it, when in fact there could be something else happening. I like your explanation as to why the "zoning out" could be happening, it makes sense.
My husband had several minor car crashes before diagnosis, he always blamed the other driver, until I was with him on the last occasion he drove, we were pulling into a car parking space and he hit the car next to him, he didn't stop, he kept driving even though I was shouting at him. That was the last time I allowed him behind the wheel. It didn't do much for marital harmony or the car insurance premium! Thankfully, soon after the neurologist said he had to relinguish his licence as psp was one of those conditions that has to be notified to the driving authorities. I later discovered he had had other accidents in the States where he was working at the time, he didn't tell me about these.
Take care.
Mary- SouthWest of England carer aka Peter3.
I TOO HAVE THE BLANKING THING - IT IS TAKEN AS MY NOT LISTENING BY NY FAMILY- BUT IT IS VERY OFTEN ME JUST NEEDING TIME TO THINK AND TO CONSIDER AN ANSWER
Thanks for your reply Sasha, between you, Peter Jones and Jill I find your blogs so helpful in trying to understand my husband's situation. Unlike the three of you who regularly communicate, my husband isn't able to do so and says he doesn't really feel any need to talk as I know what his needs are. Not always entirely true but at least it shows he must have some faith in me!
Between what you and Alana have said it may well be the slowing down of neuro pathways and the brain. I was concerned he may have been developing a form of epilepsy.
Have a look at my reply to Peter Jones as it applies to you.
Keep blogging.
Best wishes.
Mary- SouthWest of England carer aka Peter3
John was like this long before diagnosis . Use to drive me mad. As if he was ignoring me completely .
If I spoke and he didn't answer I use to get so frustrated and ask if my question was toooo difficult lol .
Where is the line between Parkinson's and PSP . can anyone help .
The care of the elderly consultant who deals with Parkinson's patients along with the GP diagnosed my husband with Parkinson's . . Now I have never ever felt that the SINEMET along with the Neuro patch he uses have been a great help and he has continues to progress . . although they keep telling us well he is doing and it is only mild I know differently . They don't live with us d they .
We know or understood nothing of Parkinson's other that the tremor or so we thought .
My husband has the the blank stages or I call them switchIng off . like a light bulb .
Before ever he was diagnosed if i asked him something he didn't answer . I would tell him you are an intelligent man is that question so very difficult . . I regret this now obviously but we get frustrated when we don't know what is happening .
It is a learning curve and we really don't get much advice other than from talking to others in the same place , Such as all of you .
JUS TLOS TMY REPLYH TO YOU PETER3
THANSK FOR YORU KIND WORDS
I SHALL KEEP BLOGGING FOR AS LONG A S I CAN
I HAVE PROBLEMS IWTH V HOT AND V COLD WEATHER NOW AND CANNOT BLAME PSP BTU WONDER FI THE RE IS A CONNECTION
LOL jiLL
HI ALL
HTGANKS FOR YOUR KIN WORD S PETER 3 - IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT OT SAY IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES
LIEK I CANNOT NOW DEAL WITH HTE HEAT OR COLD V WELL AT ALL = NOT BLAMIING PSP FOR IT BUT THERE MAHY BE A CONNECTION
I SHALL BLGO AS LONG AS I CNA AS LONG AS YOU ALL CNA UNDERSTNAD MY DYSLEXIC TYPING
LOL J|iL
Hi Jill, Interesting you mention not handling the heat and cold, my husband no longer seems to appreciate the difference. In this gorgeous weather we are having he still insists on wearing a heavy cardigan even though he is sweating. I think it is yet another psp symptom.
Don't worry about your dyslexia just keep on blogging.
Best wishes.
Mary aka Peter3.
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