Right side stiffness

Hi can someone tell me if this is normal? My husband can hardly move his right leg, his right side doesn’t have much movement. He seems to be gritting his teeth, and his face looks like he is mad all the time.

Thanks for all your help.

[Martina_MP]

One side being stiff and not working well is expected for CBD and some people have both PSP and CBD characteristics. (Although if it is new, having developed all of a sudden, then you always want to consider whether the person had a stroke.) The frowning and staring expression is common with PSP. A lot of people describe teeth clenching, jaw tightness, and difficulty opening the mouth at times related to the disease. So yes these are features of PSP/CBD.

[Hidden in reply to Martina_MP]

Thanks

[racinlady]

Sadly, it isn't at all unusual for a person with PSP to lose the use of one side of their body before the other. My husband wasn't able to use his left arm and leg for almost a year before he died. Unfortunately, he was left handed. Eventually, he lost the use of his right side too. He wasn't able to raise a finger or squeeze my hand for several months. Since he had lost his speech during that time too, communication became impossible. It seems like they just fade away little by little as they lose all of their functionality unless something else takes them first. These are very cruel, unrelenting diseases. The facial expression you describe is just another symptom of PSP. My heart goes out to you as you go through this. You will be in my thoughts.

Take care,

Pat

[Hidden in reply to racinlady]

Thanks and I’m sorry about your loss.

[AJK2001]

I'm afraid it's not uncommon. Mum had periods where her mobility on one side would be poor and she would develop a real lean to one side, then it would lessen for a bit. There never seemed to be a reason why. Likewise with the facial expressions. Sorry, I know it's really hard. xxx

[Scottoppy]

Hi I can concur, my wife has the palsy (stiffness) in all her right side limbs. She has now had to admit that the use of a walking frame is no longer possible. We use a light weight wheelchair in the house. Keep soldiering on

[Hidden in reply to Scottoppy]

Thanks my husband uses a wheelchair now.

[daddyt]

Unfortunately, I know these symptoms all too well. So yes, I would say they're PSP-CBD related.

Tim

[Hidden in reply to daddyt]

Thank you.

[BLUEPSP]

Yes we had a similar situation last week. I started him on omega3 - 1000mg and his mobility had increase.

[Hidden in reply to BLUEPSP]

Thanks I’ll try that.

[wear1947]

So sorry penny, I agree with Martina. Take care

Elena

[plieepal]

Mom always has a facial expression that looks like she’s in pain or extremely annoyed by something, sometimes she is indeed and just couldn’t speak for herself, other times no apparent reasons, I blame that to PSP...

As for the stiffness, her neurologist prescribed muscle relaxer medicines, the one she’s taking is Baclofen, but like others mentioned, if it bothers so much then Botox could be helpful. You need to repeat the injection every three month.

Is he sleeping well? I’ve noticed that when mom sleeps for longer hours at night her problems seem to get better.

[Hidden in reply to plieepal]

He sleeps okay has started choking at night on his spit.

[SewBears in reply to Hidden]

If your husband can still swallow I have found that pineapple juice helps to break up the phlegm in his throat and that might help with his cough during the night. My husband started taking Guaifenesin to help break up mucus in his throat and that helps some. His medication is a prescription but there are over the counter mucus relief tablets and/or cleansers that might help as well. I’m sorry that you’re going through this.

Xoxo from I SewBears

[Hidden in reply to SewBears]

Thank you hope you have a wonderful New Year.