I'm new here. I care for my son-in-law who has PSP (for 4 years now). He does have swallowing difficulties, but has not had pneumonia yet. He often sounds so congested, but it tends to clear up as the day progresses. How do I know when to get him to the doctor? Will he run a fever, or find it hard to breathe?
Thanks for any insight you can offer. I feel like I may overlook the signs, but then I feel foolish wanting to take him the doctor all the time.
A fever is an indication of that - it's usually either pneumonia or urinary tract infection (UTI) in PSP patients
BTW it's great that you are preparing in advance for such an eventuality - there is lots of information regarding disease progress and what to expect
Best wishes for yourself, for your family and your son-in-law
Hello there
Chris currently has a chest infection. Hopefully we have nipped it in the bud before it gets more serious. He was very hot on Sunday, but given our recent weather, who hasn't been. But he was 'off his feet' far more wobbly than usual and very difficult to move round. Monday he seemed better but by Tuesday evening he was not right, so our Doc came in on Wednesday am. No UTI but left lung congested.
It really is a case of watching like a hawk and as soon as you suspect something is not right, get some help.
Hope this helps - PSP is so cruel.
Best wishes
AnneandChris
Aspiration pneumonia symptoms are usually fever, low O2 levels, high heart rates, and a rattling sound in the lungs. The first 3 symptoms are also associated with UTI's, something my wife would get constantly, as she could not control her urine. I'm assuming UTI's are probably a little more common in women than men, but I know men get them. To keep a constant check on my wife, I had a digital thermometer, an oximeter to measure her O2 and heart rate, and I even bought a stethoscope to listen to her lungs. Whenever her heart rate soared over 100 and her O2 dropped below 90, I would begin to worry and contact our hospice nurse. They would come and check her vitals too, but they never heard the "crackles" in the lungs that are usually associated aspiration pneumonia. Once her O2 dropped to the low-80's, I rushed her to the ER (after getting permission from our hospice nurse). The ER doctor couldn't immediately hear anything in the lungs either. They then did a chest x-ray and determined her left lung was totally clogged. So clogged that no air was passing through it, which was why no sounds could be heard. They started her on some strong antibiotics, which had no effect. I lost my precious wife 4 days later. This was all just 2 short years ago. Still seems like yesterday. She was only 54 years old. PSP is such an evil disease.
Bless you for helping to care for your son-in-law.
Ketchupman
Thank you, this information is very helpful to me. I’m sorry for the loss of your wife, being 54 makes me gulp a bit as I’m 55 (it is my mother who has CBD - she was in her mid 60’s when first symptoms appeared). In my mind I’ve thought it was a condition of old age (as mom is now 80). This group helps me see the scope and reach of this condition(s) and I’ve learned a lot.
Ketchupman
Waiving and wishing you the best - such a short time ago... I am in line and awaiting my turn.
I hope things are going as well as they can.
Best
to you
Kevin
Just waiving hello forourcarlo.
There's nothing I can add to the great replies above -Sorry.
Welcome... Best to you all.
Kevin
Thank you all for chiming in. I will buy an oximeter tomorrow. Good idea.
Ketchupman, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear wife. I'm sure that she would feel pride in knowing that you still participate in this site and are helping others.
It is a dreadful disease, but we do whatever we can to make it gentle for our loved one.
Bonnie
Good question🙂
When it happened to me, I never realised and didn't help seeing newly qualified gp who had to Google PSP. Second visit, sent precautionary to hospital. If in any doubt, push gp to act. I'm still recuperating. 6 day stay.
Keep from getting Aspiration Pneumonia 
Aspirated Pneumonia
After effects of pneumonia
