Advice needed on chewing himself and objects - PSP Association

PSP Association

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Advice needed on chewing himself and objects

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
17 Replies

My husband is chewing everything.

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 profile image
D0ttieL0ttie
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17 Replies
raincitygirl profile image
raincitygirl

Hi DOttieLOttie;

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....

raincitygirl profile image
raincitygirl

Another thing: Have his health professionals considered whether a calming medication would help? An SSRI or something? Just wondering....

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie in reply to raincitygirl

Thank you. I will make a call on Monday to our Consultant.

abirke profile image
abirke

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.....

((HUGS))

AVB

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie in reply to abirke

I had wondered about the Amantadine and so will contact the Consultant on Monday.

Thank you

rriddle profile image
rriddle

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.

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie

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.

Thank you

in reply to D0ttieL0ttie

Symptoms can overlap. He has PSP with a FTD symptom.

Greenkerrycounty profile image
Greenkerrycounty

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.

Tippyleaf profile image
Tippyleaf

I have no experience with this but some great suggestions on prev posts.

Just one other thought has he had a dental check recently just to make sure he doesn’t have tooth ache or damage from the biting causing him pain.

Take care do let us know how you get on and hope you find something to ease this soon, sounds very distressing for both of you

Love Tippy

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie

Thank you Tippy

Yes he has 6 monthly dental checks, also he is able to tell me if he has any aches or pains.

Warmest regards

Pam

Elaine1969 profile image
Elaine1969

My hubby is doing this biting everything he can get hold of bad language screaming out our doctor just said it part of his lewybody psp cbd x

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie

Yes, it is awful to see such damaging changes in behaviour.

Stick in there xx

hellebore profile image
hellebore

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.

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie in reply to hellebore

Thank you.

I've ordered him an adult bangle to chew on from chewigem.

In the meantime I am giving him straws to chew on !!

Nanny857 profile image
Nanny857

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.

Hope your GP/Neurologist can help. xx

D0ttieL0ttie profile image
D0ttieL0ttie

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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