Hello everyone , please has anybody had any experience of a psp sufferer constantly picking at their skin? Arms,legs and now head. love p

[pollyannajo]

[easterncedar]

I've heard of it with psp sufferers, but not seen it. My brother-in-law, who has terminal brain cancer, does this intermittently. Quite terrible. I'm sorry you have to deal with your loved one in such a sad state.

[Heady]

Hi Pollyannajo, my husband has always done that! It's driven me mad over the years, don't say that's another symptom I haven't been aware of!!! My whole life with S, seems, with hindsight, to be revolved around this "cggghuuh" disease!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[millicenthatton]

Hello, my father has had PSP for 14 years and now in the latter stages. For the past few years he has constantly picked at his hand, as if seeing something that isn't there. Prior to that when he was more able bodied he would pick at things on the carpet or floor. Now he does it to the table over his wheelchair and his hands, and legs sometimes if he can reach them. Several times in his sleep he will reach into the air as if grasping something. The symptoms of this illness seem to get longer and never ending.

[cabbagecottage]

o dear similar to my husband he even look at his fingers then put his hand out to reach imaginary food , he now realises he is doing it and not real . He also sees people have you googled Charles Bonnet syndrome

[jimandsharynp in reply to cabbagecottage]

Cabbage, Reminds me of my father. He didn't have PSP but my mom called and said "Your dad is seeing people in the yard and house that aren't there. It continued and she had him hospitalized. When I saw him in hospital they had his arms strapped down. He was that bad. They took him off all meds and in two days he was back to his normal self. Seems his doctor had put him on Valium which caused a very bad reaction in him. I often wonder how much drugs play in some of the things that patients start doing like picking at themselves. I think the drugs and combination of drugs are a great place to start when dealing with non-normal actions of patients. IMHO Jimbo

[cabbagecottage]

It's a minefield you cope with one new thing and dozens of others follow .!!!!!! ,

[wifemo]

Hi pollyannajo (love the name)

Now I come to think of it, Tony did used to pick at a particular part of his head occasionally, before he was ill and diagnosed.

I wonder if there's a sensation that something is not right? One for Strelley to put on the list of early symptoms?

Mo

[Hidden]

This first paragraph is very technical.......

I'm just guessing but excoriation (picking at one's skin etc) is an impulse control disorder and has been associated with dysfunction of dopamine and also damage to one of the frontostriatal circuits (associated with motor inhibitory control).

Since PSP is associated with both these problems (dopamine and frontostriatal circuits), it may display in a few sufferers the actions you describe of constant picking of the skin. I'm wondering if my wife's constant scratching of one area of her scalp (without any evidence of a skin problem) may be connected with the above possible explanation?

As I say, I'm guessing and may be totally "off base"

Take care pollyannajo.

T.

[dkt48]

Hi pollyannajo. Yes. My husband picks at his skin often. Sometimes he's so vigorous about it, his skin will bleed. It's like it holds his attention to the point of obsession. Hospice has told me to treat it like dry skin but to no avail. I'm hoping this will pass as I worry about skin infections. If you find something that works, I know you'll share. God bless you. dkt48

[pollyannajo]

Thank you so much for all the helpful feedback. I am taking it all on board and will report back on how things are going. Will definitely mention drug combination . One thing about it he does not seem aware of what he is doing to himself and he has not complained of it itching or being sore even though it is so unsightly... one more hurdle!!

Love to you all pollyannajo

[Geetak]

Hi when my dad was admitted to hospital after a fall and fracturing his hip his psp syptoms got worse, he used to try and pick things off his hands and arms as if there was something there. He would also try and grab things that were not there and would get scared all of a sudden and start shaking. I believe the meds lead this to happen. I hope your ok.

[cabbagecottage]

Agonist can cause impulsive behaviour , I am sure it's this that is causing my husband trouble , Have you googled Charles Bonnet syndrome . very interesting .

I asked John what the people looked like the the could see . It doesn't frighten or worry him . He told me they wore bonnets and pantaloons . a similar thing happened to my mum she had a stroke not sure what meds she was on at the time .

She thought it was real but he realises it's not afterwards , he will ask me if I can see them . In fact the other day , He said , : I can see . children over there but you are going to say thers no one there aren't you : lol ..