Dads walking has gone alot worse

Im very upset. Since he fell hiis walking has gone worse.since he fell he is on madapar again only since two days. He definately has extreme slowness in his movements. I dont trust our nurologist here in turkey though apparantly he is one of the most renowned profs in the country. I wanted to make dad happy and bought him to the seaside but hes gone worse here. He fell on his headm his walking is too wobbly. He has balance problems. He has pain in his eyes. But hos balance problems is scaring me. Have i ruined him by bringing him to such hot climate? I dont understand

[Dadshelper]

Don't blame yourself for the changes in your father. The seaside trip was probably very nice for him.

As long as your father is mobile there is a fall risk, you will not be able prevent or even stop all of them. Heck dad has toppled out of a wheelchair more then once. He thought he was in a rocker and started rocking, when he got far enough forward gravity took over.

Do your best and that will be good enough. It's very hard to anticipate your father's changing needs, most of the time you're going to be in reaction mode and not prevention mode.

Good luck.

Ron

[Hidden in reply to Dadshelper]

Thank you. But now that I saw him fall I am nervous. I actually live with my husband and kids. Dad lives with mum. Seeing dad gone worse i am very worried. I dont know what to do

[Caro2132]

I dint think you have ruined him by bringing him to the sea. It’s ‘normal’ to be wobbly after a fall, it is slow to get back to the ‘before’ state. I assume the madapar is the same as sinemet. This helps replace the dopamine, and helps movement. But balance will always be a problem. Just help your dad walk and move slowly to be safe. Some falls are not preventable but you can minimize the hurt. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Caro2132]

Thank you. I am nervous and worried

[D0ttieL0ttie]

Hi

People with PSP tend to fall backward or sideways often, sadly it is part of this disease. Madopar is used for Parkinsons and when my husband had this, it did not help his symptoms.

He is now on Procylcidine which helps his tremors/shakes. If you are able, maybe you could ask your neurologist to trial Procyclidine instead of the Madopar.

Sadly and despite Geoff being confined to a wheelchair he will still attempt to get up and continues to fall.

Good Luck.

[Hidden in reply to D0ttieL0ttie]

Thank you very much. Dad doesnt have tremors or shakes. Rather has imbalance, difficulty walking and difficulty maintaining balance...he has slowness in everything. His near past memory is bleak or rather gone

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Steff123!

People with PSP tend to get fatigued much more. Our experience is that high heat (more than 30ºC) produces considerable fatigue in the patient. It is important that they are well hydrated (using thickeners), protect the eyes from light (sunglasses and frequent drops of artificial tears or saline serum) and protect the head with a fresh hat (Panama type).

The good weather gives encouragement to the patient and helps to leave home, walk and socialize. The cold, gray and rainy weather depresses in our case, so in winter we try to spend some time in southern Spain.

Regards.

Luis

[Hidden in reply to LuisRodicioRodicio]

Thank you so much, thanks

[Kevin_1]

Hi Steff

There's not much I can add to the posts above. During the recent heatwave my wife found the portable air conditioning unit a godsend. The heat (mid thirties) severely exhausted her.

Do remember that PSP and CDB tend to have 'step downs'. That is one day you will find something your Dad could do suddenly can't be done as well as before. Our experience was that over the next week or so a little ability returned.

I suspect moving to a warm climate is probably a good move. Warmth helps the body considerably.

Wishing you both the best, you sound like a wonderful carer for him.

Kevin

[Hidden in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks alot thank you. I have taken dad on holiday but I dont live with dad as I live with my husband and kids. Dad lives with mum. But now after the holiday when i wont get to see him so often or everyday i will be very nervous and upset. What can I do

[Kevin_1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Steff

I'm not sure of the situation.

You and your husband live in Turkey now?

Where do your Mum and Dad live?

What other support do they have? (carers etc).

What needs does he have that you are trying to meet?

Best to you

Kevin

[Nanny857]

Don't be upset Steff as I'm sure your dad loves being with you. Unfortunately falls come with PSP. W has problems with his eyes so I put eye drops in which helps with dry eyes and he wears sunglasses because he is sensitive to bright light. Sending you a big hug ( ) Nanny857

[Hidden in reply to Nanny857]

Thank you so much