PBA

[Dave-esau]

pseudobulbar affect, which my inappropriate laughing upsets my wife and is affecting our marriage. Does any one else have a similar problem? If so how do you deal with it

[easterncedar]

My guy had rather the opposite problem, being overly affected by poignant moments and wailing a bit - somewhat disturbing to others when we were at the movies. It has largely gone away on its own. His inappropriate laughing seems more to be triggered by embarrassment or confusion or frustration, which happens to people without psp, too. It doesn't bother me at all, although the aides sometimes see it as him ignoring their concerns and get annoyed.

(With apologies to the person whose story this is...) I remember someone posting here that her husband's laughing was making her crazy, until one day at a crowded pub when he started laughing at nothing, very loudly, uncontrollably, and the laughter started to spread from person to person through the place until the whole pub was roaring with laughter, wonderfully, for no reason anyone could name. I love that story.

I know there are medications for PBE, and someone may be able to direct you to that.

Good luck to you and your wife. This psp comes at you in so many directions, and all we can do is hang on. Love and peace, Easterncedar

[Kevin_1]

Hello Braemar

Thank you for giving the name for this condition which my Liz struggles with too. Indeed there are quite a number of folk here who suffer from unwanted laughter.

NUEDEXTA has been licensed for this condition for those suferring from MS where the incidence is about 10%. However it can be prescribed 'off license' if the GP or Neurologist thinks it would help.

I have just had a look at some MS forums where it has been discussed and some say it didn't help and some more say that the side effects were not tolerated by them.

The MS Society recommend education and support for the sufferer and the carer.

We are trying to 'just live with it'. It can drive me crazy, but Liz doesn't mind it so much.

The problem is that at a very primitive level humans most likely used laughter (mocking)as a way of humiliating others. It is very powerful and the emotional reaction from the one receiving it is quite a deep primitive response. That is it is hard to rationalise.

Now I know that the laughter is not mocking or directed at the carer, but my experience (being on the receiving end every day) is that it is quite hard to ignore. It helps if you don't look at your partner whilst laughing. That way it might be easier for them to see it as non directed.

There is a whole realm of non speech communications which are quite deep seated in us advanced 'monkeys'. It is thought that they were what we used before speech... and we still use them. They trigger hormonal responses in others and are really quite powerful.

I used to reach some of tis on a limited fashion, but when facing it for real it takes a bit of practice for me to stay calm (doing breathing) and reminding myself that it is not meant.

The other difficulty we face is that when Liz is laughing she cannot cooperate with moving or dressing so that the whole thing becomes a lot more hard and, with moving, less safe. The only thing I have found to do at these times is to make Liz safe and leave the room for a few minutes telling her I need her calm and I will return when she calls me to say she is. Sometimes I return it so does the laughter!

Another thing that helps is me talking softly to her (ignoring my stress) and telling her how much I love her and asking her about what she wants to wear or what ablution to do next. This eventually helps her relax.

Well this is my take on it for right or wrong. I do hope it helps a little.

May I ask do you feel anxious when laughing? (Liz does).

Best to you both

Kevin

[easterncedar in reply to Kevin_1]

Very interesting, Kevin. Thanks!

[abirke in reply to Kevin_1]

Wow that was deep....don't you think we still use laughing as a mocking behavior....with words of sarcasm, it can pull a powerful punch. With that being said, I never considered my husbands laughing at me(two seconds of laughter before it's back to all about him) when I hurt myself or something bad happened as pba....but I do see how this may be a thing though pba does not need an emotion to insite its wierd ways

AVB

[Kevin_1 in reply to abirke]

Hi

Yes, the emotional response is in the recipient. It is not the motivation to laugh.

[Dave-esau in reply to Kevin_1]

Kevin Thank you for your response. I have asked my GP about NUEDEXTA unfortunately she has not heard of it but will look into it. I feel embarrassed rather than anxious

[Kevin_1 in reply to Dave-esau]

I wish you the best.

I cannot imagine the extent of feelings you, and my Liz, must be going through emotionally.

Thank you for sharing that.

I continue to try to keep apace of this dreadful illness for her.

Best wishes

[pzagy in reply to Kevin_1]

the same happened to my dad after his stroke, we find that letting him know its ok and giving him some space works for him, just like you are doing.

Nothing this desease brings out is personal its raw, it's crazy, it just is.

If there is anything I have learned it is that we all have our stories, we have been trhough so very much, but the one's suffering from this desease are going through their own hell. It's hard, it's damn hard but a friend that lost her 3 year old daughter told me, God only gives you what you can handle, I will take that to my grave

Peace and love to everyone

[abirke]

I am on the heals of Easterncedar... just finished up another post in which I wholeheartedly agree with her post. My husband had a very mild case of this both laughing and crying. I tried to comfort him a bit and move on even if he was still crying....But the thing that I hope will happen to you is #1 this will be temporary...#2 your loved one will be able to handle her emotions when your "emotions " seem a bit out of kilter....Maybe on a good day you could explain that your feelings may seem out of control but it is not your emotions driving your behavior. Thus Your emotions cannot be driven by this behavior. Some antidepressents have a good effect. Time for the both of you to talk to the doc .

Infact, theres a live Q and A right now with CurePSP if you want to ask them questions with your wife present to get some support on what to do. facebook.com/curepsp.founda...

Goodluck

AVB

[Debbieann]

Laughing, what's that? Something happy people do? Can't remember

Xxx

[easterncedar in reply to Debbieann]

Hugs, Debbieann. Laughter will come back. One day. Hang on. Ec

[gypsywoman1947]

Yes my husband has it extensively and has been prescribed omazipane low dose, I thought it subdued it at first but it's back with a vengeance and I'm going crazy. I KNOW the crying must be far worse and I'd hate that . But today we have had 3 toilet accidents, 2 showers and helpless nonstop laughing each time a nd I'm ready to slam through the front door. I've just read Kevin's post and it is oh so true, the laughing prohibits any cooperation and the carers task becomes a nightmare. I've walked away, I've cried, I've even shouted , then I don't want to live with myself. I lie awake and vow to be different next day but I'm on a roundabout and I can't get off it. I don't know how to cope with it. I'm so sorry I can't give much advice, only sympathy. xx GW

[easterncedar in reply to gypsywoman1947]

Oh, gypsywoman, I'm with you. Sometimes I think this whole setup is because I'm an impatient, ill-tempered, cranky cow and it won't end until I learn to be a better person. Every day I resolve to keep it together, and every day I fail. At this rate he and I will both have to live to be a hundred to get off the roundabout. Hugs to you, ec

[Kevin_1 in reply to gypsywoman1947]

Hi gw

Yes, it makes me crazy sometimes.

I love tranquility and time to be thoughtful. PSP is so good at denying me both.

I know what you mean. I too try to be different each day. I guess I am better at it now. Says I who have just given Liz a coffee, got totally would up with her asking for three things at once whilst laughing and had to leave the room having said exasperated words about my peace being shattered.

Day break has a new meaning for me now

Wishing you the best

Kevin

xx

[easterncedar in reply to Kevin_1]

Day break, perfect, hah, mine just did, at 5 am. Beautiful resolution gone instantly when I found the brand new duvet wrapped under him, soaking wet. He did the same last night with the old one. Not his fault, but I fussed at him, and was more brisk than gentle with the change of clothes. Way to start the day!

[doglington in reply to easterncedar]

Oh, I so relate to that !

Love, Jean x

[Kevin_1 in reply to easterncedar]

Ouch! I felt that.

Way to start the day indeed.

I lie in bed and reflect for a while before getting up. I go and make a cup of good China tea (I love good tea) and Liz a coffee and then wait for the sound of a brick hitting the geenhouse of my mind.

All's fair in PSP and war eh?

[doglington in reply to Kevin_1]

If things go wrong and I don't get that tea until 10.00 or so the day cannot recover.

I don't mind an early cup but need to wake gradually.

I really mutter when I'm showering him before my tea.

Its hard to remember he can't help it when I haven't had time to adjust my halo !!!

love, Jean x

[Kevin_1 in reply to doglington]

[easterncedar in reply to Kevin_1]

Cripes, Kevin, that's an image that I can feel! (The brick and glass.) We used to love sitting in bed on a weekend with a cup of coffee. I miss it so.

[Heady in reply to gypsywoman1947]

Come on! Don't beat yourself up, just like your husband can't help the non stop accidents and the laughter, you can't help your reaction. We are all on constant alert 24/7, can you imagine what the Health and Safety Police would say, if a care company was employing us. The owner/manager would be locked up and the key thrown away. Yet we are made to feel guilty because we get a little(!) grumpy now and then.

Lots of love

Heady

[Duffers]

My hubby does both. Laughs when something goes disasterously wrong which I think is a form of embarrassment on his behalf, but he also gets emotional and teary, specially when watching tv with his limited vision. Both brought on by PSP, but I would rather have them than the aggressive, abusive and sometimes violent behavior that can also happen. The lesser of the many evils bestowed on them.

At first I took it all personally and it annoyed me no end but now I know it's not him I can tolerate it a bit more, sometimes lol. Take care and hang in there. Good luck Braemar. Marie

[doglington]

Chris does both but mainly crying. People are much more tolerant of that than the laughing. Probably as Kevin says because of it sounding mocking. I certainly react !

I also resolve not to react but then I do. Both of us left feeling bad.

love, Jean x

[daddyt]

I'm the opposite... more crying over nothing. I haven't laughed in well over 3 years... I'd take laughter over the crying. My family knows this is part of the disease. I would tell your wife to let family, friends etc. ahead of time that it's just the PSP. Patience and understanding goes a long way...

[doglington in reply to daddyt]

Yes. All family and friends know that Chris tears are PSP, although they are genuine. He can laugh a bit but not much. He always had a hearty laugh. Do you laugh inside ? I think he does.

Love, Jean x

[daddyt in reply to doglington]

I'll chuckle a bit, but no good laughter... the kind that almost makes you pee yourself... but for now, my depends liner will do lol.

[doglington in reply to daddyt]

sad

xx