PSP and Covid

[WindyGirl]

Has anyone had an experience with this? I had a mild case of Covid last week. Although my husband tested negative when mine was positive, I believe he did later get the virus from me based on fever, cough, added confusion. Then, almost overnight, his speech and mobility took a drastic downward turn. Those things were already difficult, but now they are all but impossible. His legs will not move at all when trying to walk, he cannot stand in an upright position, his hands have developed a curved position that is difficult to open. His speech has gone from me understanding about 25% to completely unintelligible. He used to be able to communicate using a white board, but now I is writing is just scribbles. Of course I knew things would digress, but this happened SO suddenly, I just wonder if it is somehow related to Covid.

[Fairygirl13]

Hi WindyGirl,

Whilst we have no experience of Covid, Dad did experience a very sudden downturn after a nasty UTI. Like your husband, he went from difficult speech to none almost overnight, he also lost the ability to write and to eat unassisted.

I think from what I have seen/heard, that a sudden down turn is not unexpected after illness, or a severe fall. I know that Dad's deterioration's have often accompanied things such as that.

Hopefully my reply will help bump your post too so you get some more info.

Sending you best wishes, I hope you are feeling well again now.

Sarah x

[Marian_M]

Dear WindyGirl,

My Dad had PSP, he passed away 8 weeks ago.

In 2020 in March simultaneously with the start of our first lockdown in Holland, he became very ill, he did not had have a fever. But his pulse was very weak and he was also very weak physically.

We took him to the Hospital and was tested there, but the results were negative.

He was already not so Mobil, but with support he could stand or walk a few steps.

He stayed 4 weeks in the care of the hospital and he was fighting for his live.

He came home in April and his condition was pretty bad. All the things he could do, was lost. He could not sit for hours and nor stand or walk. Sitting up needed help or support. He could hardly speak.

And now I wonder and I am not so sure but he became very stiff in his left arm and his right fist was very curved and he could hardly move or open this hand.

I believe that before March his fist wasn’t as curved as after his release.

I am not sure if it is related to COVID. We did suspect that he had it, because my mother was tested positive later that year and he was tested again, negative.

She is his first caregiver. So…

Like you, WindyGirl, I am also curious if others recognize these symptoms or any resemblance…

Kind regards.

[daddyt]

Sorry to hear about your husband's decline. Some of my changes literally happened overnight.

Tim x

[Stephanielayell82]

Hard to say if it's related to the covid. But it can happen over night. Strokes are common with this disease so wondering if that may have happened in his sleep. I would call neurologist and ask them. I have another friend who wasn't doing well and she got covid from one of her care takers and couldn't beat the covid and ended up losing her battle. Or have your husband retested. Good Luck

[WindyGirl]

Thank you for the replies. It very well may have been another stroke. Turns out he DOES have Covid, and due to PSP, CHF, diabetes and other issues, Covid is winning. He is now home in hospice with nurse saying time is short. I know he would rather go this way than with a drawn out PSP decline, so we (the family) are doing okay with it so far.

[bazooka111 in reply to WindyGirl]

My heart goes out to you and your family. Reading the posts — all so familiar — description of our lives to the “T" . Hugs to you - Kim