He is chewing his fingers until they bleed, he has a blood blister on his arm that he bites until it bleeds. He chews the wires on his cassette player (that he listens to his audio books on). I have given him soft balls to hold but he's chewed these. I have also got cube clickers for him. He will not listen to me when I ask him to stop. Anyone else experience this and do you have any tips.
It has been suggested I get him a dummy, but he's not daft, he still understands and also I cannot find anything suitable on line. I will also get angostura bitters for his fingers but am reluctant and would rather find an alternative. Help !!
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D0ttieL0ttie
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I haven't had this experience, but I wonder if dog toy/chew/bones would work? Not the rawhide or animal products which are harsh on the stomach, but the new-style organic chewy rubber kind? There are all different types and shapes so you should be abe to find one he couldn't accidentally swallow. Also, I wonder if there are some orthodontic-grade materials available from a dentist? When I had invisalign braces they gave us these "chewies" that were just tubes of orthodontic foam stuff to bite on - although they were too small and maybe a choke hazard....
I don't remember Bruce having this problem. But behavior such as with perseverating on specific things; tv shows; exactly where to park; etc. cab be treated with an anti anxiety med.
You might talk to his Dr. about using an anit anxiety and if it is the behavior that draws bad language and screaming out in some patients or OCD like behaviors in others, then this biting may sort of fade away. But again talk to his doc., and see what he has to say....Dottie, Do you think the Amatadine has anything to do with this (new?) behavior.....
There are lot of oral behaviors associated with frontotemporal dementia. I suggest you check out the AFTD website for some info. This is a topic widely discussed on the FTD Support Forum but, like HealthUnlocked, that's a membership-only group. If you find other FTD symptoms, it's definitely worth joining the FTD Support Forum.
As I recall, these oral behaviors are an OCD symptom. They are often treated with anti-depressants.
That is interesting because his initial diagnosis was FTD but then changed to PSP of which there is no doubt, (according to Professor Rowe at Cambs university)
I will contact him and inform him of these behaviors.
My husband was starting to feel like he had to bite down on something all of the time. His jaw was very tight, and rigid. At night he would bite down on a towel. I noticed that one of the side effects of his Flomax was “rigid jaw”. The urologist confirmed he was aware of several other cases of this side-effect, so we stopped the medicine. There was definitely improvement , but his jaw is still tight. Read recently this is a symptom of PSP. Botox injections are used for improvement, but I don’t know details. Good luck to you.
Try looking for adult teethers. They do exist as they are used by stroke patients and those who have jaw surgery. Try stroke charity. My husband had this problem. He couldn help it he just had to chew.
My husband doesn't bite, but recently has started to grind his teeth together, a sound that drives me crazy. I keep telling him to stop that he will wear his teeth down and then won't be able to chew his food but it doesn't make any difference.
I have ordered him a 'Bermuda Bangle' from Chewigem, on line.
This is an adult bangle that he can chew on and in the meantime I have replaced the wires with straws,( that he flattens in no time by chewing on them) !!
Will let you know how effective this is.
Regarding your husband grinding his teeth the dentist may be able to help. Geoff has a gum shield at not to stop this grinding.
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