Problem with walking

[Eurohop]

My husband over the last few days seems to have lost the use of his legs and I am unable to guide him as he seems to double over. I am frightened that this will not get any better and will take to his bed and what is worse I am shouting at him to make an effort.. This PSP seems to have no boundaries. It will be devastating for him never to go out again. Can anyone tell me there could be another reason why it has happened so quickly.

[jzygirl]

Has he got a water infection or any other infection possible dehydration change in medication. Just a few ideas. Jane x

[Eurohop in reply to jzygirl]

Thanks I will get that look into. You have at least given me somewhere to go. I appreciate that very much.

[jzygirl in reply to Eurohop]

I tend to revert to my training (hca) any unusual behaviour test for infection and dehydration. My hubby always leans to one side when he got an infection and my gp is kind enough to let me have a course of antibiotics at home ready to administer at first sign of trouble. To test for dehydration pinch the skin on the back of the hand between thumb and 1st finger if it stays in a peak then its dehydration. Urine infection is colour and smell. Good luck. Janex

[easterncedar]

It may not apply to your situation, but my guy has had three scary but very short-lived bouts of being unable to walk upright, he doubles over and seems to try to out-run a fall, so he goes fast, then collapses. This has passed within hours and after a good rest. So far he has come back afterwards to just his original degree of difficulty in walking, and still gets around using just a cane. I hope your husband recovers in a similar way. Psp can be so tricky; symptoms do come and go sometimes. All the best, Easterncedar

[peterjones in reply to easterncedar]

hi eastern cedar how are you going and mr c of course I dont know about being doubled

over but I hope he is ok for the bike race I think we must be pretty even as I had two falls yesterday one I went over into the louver doors had to go to dr to get bandaged up bump on my noggin and a split ear and some bark off here and there but still with it I am glad to say so stick with it mr c it only lasts for a little while\\\\ you can do it all that mountain air it must be good for you \\ and what about you mrs c hows the hand etc ok i hope. Take care peter jones queensland Australia psp sufferer

[NannaB in reply to peterjones]

Hi Peter Jones, I love the picture. In the wars again I see. I hope you are not in too much discomfort. If they still use paper files at your hospital like here, they will have to push yours around in a wheelbarrow. Put more water with it next time.

Take care,

Nanna B

[MaddyS in reply to peterjones]

Hi peter

Hopefully you are healing ok and no more falls. Wonderful to see your picture. Often wondered what you look like.

Take care maddy

[Kathleen52 in reply to peterjones]

Hi Peter Jones. My husband has been diagnosed with PSP, He is 64 and was already on a luggie scooter because of nerve damage from a back injury so although he has had a few falls when transferring to a chair or getting into the car in general he doesn't fall much. His voice is almost gone and his eyes are very sore. He has also lost interest in most things, just watches tv with his eyes closed most of the time. I notice you live in Queensland. We live in Mackay and was wondering where you are. The comments on this site help me understand how J is feeling and so help me be more understanding as I care for him. Kathleen Kenny

[NannaB]

Hi Eurohop, my husband often has bouts of sideways falling and sitting. I originally put it down to new medication so took him off it but nearly every week he will have a day or two when I have a job to transfer him. As Jane said, infections can cause sudden changes but my hubby can be bent forward in the morning and sideways in the afternoon and then forward again. We still go out though. I put cushions in his wheel chair to prop him upright when he is having a sideways episode.

Best wishes,

Nanna B

[Heady]

Hi Eurohop, sorry to hear about your husband. We have only had a couple of times when S can't walk. I know one was when he had gout, that really threw a spanner in the works. After the first time, I rushed out and bought a second hand wheelchair. Just a lightweight companion one, it's worth it's weight in gold! We take it out, every time we think S may have a problem or get overtired. Just sits in the car, but it's there. Lovely reassuring blanket!

Life will go on, when a wheelchair is needed full time. Yes, of course life will be harder, but not over!!! You will learn to adapt. Just look around next time you are out and see how people are in wheelchairs.

As for shouting, well you know and I know we shouldn't do this. But hey oh, we all do, how else are we going to release the frustration in us. I expect you find, after shouting, you calm down and get on with the task of helping your husband. I'm afraid my attitude now is, there certain things that S is going to have to get use to, the same as I have to, while I adapt to my new, untrained role as carer!!! This doesn't mean we are useless, bad people or love our husbands any less. It's just a very steep learning curve and there are bound to be tumbles along the way! We are only human.

Take everyone advise and get hubby checked out, in case it's something else. Hope he is back upright again very soon.

Lots of love

Heady

[Eurohop]

Thank you all. I have taken your advice and the Doctor is visiting us at lunchtime. So nice that I have somewhere to go to when I felt like I was at my wits end.

[Pippalina]

Hi Eurochop,

I totally empathise with you my husband cannot stand or walk on his own,he only goes out to the car in a wheelchair. Like you I sometime shout for him to move his feet and feel so bad after as I know he is trying hard, he seems to have a delay in the message getting to his brain.He fully understands what is being said and gets frustrated when he cannot respond straight away. Life is very hard sometime,but somehow each day we manage to get through it together.I cannot imagine life without him.

[peterjones in reply to Pippalina]

pippalinna when your husband gets hes feet in a tangle just tell him to say the word STOP out aloud and then go I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO HIM because he will stop trying to walk and wait until he says the word go anytime he is trying to walk and gets caught up with hes feet please try this I do it and it works for me its no good shouting at us because it only makes matters worse let me know how you get on this goes for everyone with psp and has trouble with there feet give it a go have a great day

taske care peter jones queensland australia psp sufferer and foot tangorlia if theres such a word see yer

[Heady in reply to peterjones]

Good idea Peter, I'll get S to try it!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[easterncedar in reply to peterjones]

Sounds like a very good hint! We will be giving it a try, too. thanks, as ever, Mr. Jones! All the best EC

[Eurohop]

My husband was taken in to hospital at lunchtime and they are running test on him. Keeping my fingers crossed although I hated leaving there. First time we have been apart for 29 years. Thanks to everyone.

[Heady in reply to Eurohop]

Thinking of you. Hope all goes well.

Lots of love

Heady

[jimandsharynp]

Hard to say since the disease affects everyone differently. It can be tough to keep composure at times but do your best and always apologize and say "I love you!". Yes on the "no boundries". My dear wife didn't mind not going out at one point. Hugs JIMBO

[Eurohop]

My husband has been diagnosed with a chest infection and will be in hospital for about 8 days. I was so relieved it was nothing more. I need to thank jzygirl for the early response which got him sorted so quickly and everyone for the benefit of the replies. I am now a happier bunny.

[jzygirl in reply to Eurohop]

Eurohop so sorry he has got a chest infection but at least its treatable and you will get him back soon. And the good thing is you will be able to recognise the sighns and symptoms if it acures again. Perhaps you can have a chat with your gp and get a broad spectram antibiotic to keep at home so you can treat him at first sign of infection.

Take care Janexx

[Eurohop]

Thanks Jane once again I will take your advice. Off up the hospital now. Love Denize

[jillannf6]

hi denize

i am so glad that your husband has a treatable problem but 8 days seems a long time 4 him to be in hospital

but MAKE THE ,MOS TO F YORU TIEM ON YORU OWN PLZ?

I HA VE PSP AND KNWO WHAT IT IS LIKE WHEN I AM OUT AT THE HOSPICE ON MYH WON - MY PARTNER DOES NOTHING WIHT HIS TIME

LOL JILL

[Eurohop]

I am spending most of the day with him at the hospital. The nurses think it great as I am making myself useful while I am there. Xx

[Heady]

Hi Denize, glad to hear that your husband is going be OK. Jill is right, make sure you use some of the time he is in hospital, to take care of yourself. Go to the hairdressers, beauty clinic, go shopping, anything That you don't normally have the time to do or are frightened to leave you husband for any length of time. He is perfectly safe in hospital and I'm sure enjoying the attention of the young nurses, give him some space as well. We could all do with some at times, so make use of this hospital stay. You know you will be extra busy, when he first gets home, so get some rest now!!!

Lots of love

Heady