Looking for some advice please. My mum has PSP and both her and my father live with me. My dad is 83 and up until 2 weeks ago looked after Mum whilst I was at work. However things have taken a dramatic turn. Dad has suddenly started shaking uncontrollably. He struggles to hold his knife, fork cup. He can not shave and struggles to do anything. His appetite has declined and he has developed a sudden shuffle type walk. He can not balance well at all. His mood is very low. Has anyone any idea what this could be. The hospital dismissed this as him just putting on me as he knows he can. This is NOT my dad. He is a very proud man and in two weeks he has aged 20 years he spent the first week embarrassed but this has now changed to worry. Due to mums PSP he has not spoken out as believes she needs more help than him. I am seeing the dr tomorrow so any advice before then would be excellent.
Kind regards
Sarah.
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Sarah1972
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Sarah I don't know what it might be but he is a man who is ill. Perhaps looking after your Mum has become too much for him and has taken it's toll physically and emotionally? He is 83 after all, and many who are much younger can't cope with the stress of caring full time.
One thing I do know he is not putting this on! I was told the same when my husband struggled to eat in the Care Home he was in. They said he was playing up because I was there, and he was alright when he was alone. He certainly wasn't playing up it was PSP/MSA progressing. So please please don't listen to anyone who tells you this.
Your poor Dad sounds like another casualty of PSP. It takes it's toll as anyone on this site will tell you. Please take him to your GP or to another hospital, as he is not well. If needs be take him (GP) some if the posts on here. My husband has been dead 11 months and I am still tired and emotionally drained. I had to let my husband go into a Care Home temporarily I thought but he went from there to hospital after he suffered from aspiration pneumonia. He was dead 3 weeks after being admitted to hospital.
Hugs to you all and don't take this nonsense of him playing up!
Hi Sarah it sounds like you dad is unwell, maybe he is totally exhausted from looking after your mum? If he is a very proud man, he has not asked for help, but tried to carry on caring for your mum/his wife. Doctor was out of order at the hospital saying what he did. Take him to your GP our get them to come in and check him out. PSP is an evil illness, he has coped very well at his age, but I am much younger than him and I am exhausted. Big hug get the GP in to see him . Xxxx Yvonne xx.
Thanks Jean. He has been seeing a new dr so she will see the sudden deterioration in him so hoping she will realise the seriousness of it all. Found dad in bathroom floor this morning. Luckily he had only been there half hour. I’m going to insist he sees a specialist even if we have to pay.
Been to Drs and she is referring to neurologist. Wee going to go private as can’t play the waiting game again so hoping for an appointment very soon. Now have him sat in barbers had his hair cut and now enjoying a wet shave. He might not be well physically but he is looking like my dad again ❤️
I asked him yesterday if he was frightened and he admitted he was. I am just thankful that we all live together.
He is sleeping now so can do house work. Think this must be what new mums experience when they get twins. Only I don’t fancy pushing a double wheelchair.
Thank you for your concern. This site is so supportive xxx
I am so glad your doctor is taking this seriously. The sooner you see the Neurologist the better.
So glad you took your Dad to have his hair cut and a shave. He must have felt better after that. My husband hated it if he couldn't have a shave.
I am so sorry that this has happened as you already have so much on your plate. Please take care of yourself.
As for the hospital well they need to be reported to the CQC! What they said was disgraceful. Your poor Dad must have felt so dismissed by them. There is no excuse for it no matter how busy they are.
Take care and keep us informed about how things unfold? At least we are always here for you when you want to scream!
This is alot for one person to deal woth, do you support around ypu who can help. Dad obviously needs medical attention, rediculous for them to tell you he is putting you on.
I have my 15 year old who can’t do enough for them and is a god send. My elder daughter 25 her partner and my husband. Am really fortunate there is 7 including Mum n dad. I have also taken time of work with stress and intend to stay off now as long as they allow it xx
I hope you get answers soon regarding your Dad. It does sound neurological let’s hope they can get to the bottom of it. Sometimes things seem so unfair and difficult. Good to see you have support from rest of your family xx
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xx
Dad (77) was diagnosed a year ago but is still in denial…
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