Are there helpful hints to combat "freezing"?

[Perrywrinkle]

My husband is in his 5th year with CBD. He sometimes experiences "freezing" when trying to sit down. He will get as far as a crouch and then his body won't allow him to go further and so he has to straighten up and try again. This morning, in the bathroom, it was especially difficult. Has anyone else esperienced this?

[Hastings2021]

Hi, my husband sadly passed away a few weeks ago, but before he was bedridden trying to help him sit on the toilet was really hard. His body never wanted to bend in the middle, he tended to hold onto the towel rail in front of him to help him down x

[Motts in reply to Hastings2021]

Sending gentle hugs Hastings... Granni B

[Perrywrinkle in reply to Hastings2021]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband, Hastings. Your description of him trying to sit on the toilet is exactly what is happening to my husband. Bless you for sharing.

[Railfan]

I have PSP and don't experience Freezing when trying to sit down. I actually plop. But I do experience Gait and Grip Freezing. It seems if I spend time thinking about moving the part that is affected, it stays longer, which in turn frustrates me and makes me try even harder, which frustrates me even more and so on. But if I try to clear my mind and can be distracted by something else, then my brain releases the Freeze rather quickly. Sometimes I can distract myself and other times my wife has to distract me. Perhaps a distraction would help. Maybe something odd like counting by 4's that make you focus on something else. But change it up occasionally or he would just get used to it and not unfreeze.

I can't count the number of times I have opened and closed the refrigerator door because my grip wouldn't let go. 😁

[Perrywrinkle in reply to Railfan]

Railfan, thank you so much for your counting distraction. We tried it and it worked!! My husband has the same problem with his grip. His left hand will close tightly around anything in reach and we have to pry it loose. One time it closed around our little dog's leg and THAT was scary until we could free it. I'm sorry you have PSP. I know it's easily misdiagnosed for CBD. They are both heartbreaking. Thank you for your response!

[Railfan in reply to Perrywrinkle]

Prying my fingers open is actually painful. But sometimes it just has to be done for safety reasons.

[daddyt]

Like Railfan, I have PSP too. When I have those instances of freezing, I'll distract myself usually by counting as well. The key is to never focus on the issue itself... it can work.

Tim

[Perrywrinkle in reply to daddyt]

Thank you, Tim. What I just wrote to Railfan applies to you as well. I'm so very thankful I found Health Unlocked. Knowing I can ask questions and hopefully maybe have answers for others is such a comfort. Again, thank you for your reply.

[Indiana-Girl]

Good morning! I am so sorry you and your husband must fight this insidious disease. My husband, too, is in his 5th year of fighting this disease. A year ago, he was still able to walk, albeit with a walker and assistance. When we would walk he would “ freeze” and we would have to stop, and relax until the impulses to his legs began again. For us, the best way to slow down the episodes was to walk each day outside. We would walk about 1/4 mile and then continue on with a wheelchair ride. He thoroughly enjoyed the exertion and the the ride where he could interact with friends and neighbors. I would strongly encourage you to keep him walking as long as possible. You may have to massage his legs when the freezing occurs. We would also do “marching” exercises while he was sitting in his wheelchair. It helps to have the repetitive motion of walking. I wish we were still able to take our walks. Sadly, he is now completely wheelchair bound and complete unable to move his legs except when sitting or lying down. I wish you well in your journey. Each day is a challenge but it is also a gift. That is why it is called the present. God will provide you what you need when you need it. When I called out “Father, why do you allow me to go through such troubled waters, he replied “Because my dear daughter, your enemies can’t swim”. May he bless you and your husband in the days and weeks to come.

[Perrywrinkle in reply to Indiana-Girl]

Dear Indiana Girl! Your words are beautiful. I'm so sorry your husband can no longer walk. My husband has declined alot in the last 6 months. Up until then he could walk without assistance. Now he depends on me for ALL aspects of daily living. His walking is done by me gripping his left wrist and walking backwards while he holds my left wrist. We do this about 10 times a day back and forth to the bathroom! Thank you for your thoughts and I so agree with you: there is no way I could continue to meet these challenges without God and the sure knowledge that He knows me better than I know myself. God bless you, Indiana Girl!

[oilman1]

My wife has PSP and freezes up quite a bit now. At first, counting backwards from 100 used to work but that seems to no longer function. I guess that is the progression of the disease. Good luck on whatever you try.

[Perrywrinkle in reply to oilman1]

Oilman, thank you for your reply. I'm so sorry about your wife. Bless your heart for caring for her.

[Abrecheisen53]

Good morning Perrywrinkle, my husband John has passed from PSP, but I was just telling someone about our 'counting song'! In the early days when John's gait would freeze, I never knew what to do until someone suggested counting. So, until the day he died, when I needed to move him from the bed to the commode or the wheelchair to another chair I would sing 'shall we dance one, two, three' from the King and I. For whatever reason it worked every time. It just became part of our routine, and it always made him smile AND move. Strength and courage to you. Alice

[Perrywrinkle in reply to Abrecheisen53]

Hi Alice, thank you for your sweet reply. I love the idea of your song! Coincidentally my husband has started referring to the way we walk as "dancing". I'm a firm believer in looking for the joy and am thankful for whatever makes us laugh. I'm so sorry for your loss but it's nice to know you have memories that make you smile. I try hard to live in the present so that when he's gone I'll have more smiles than regrets. Bless you, Alice.

[mjtogether]

Try softly singing.....something repetitive. Like to a tune he likes...one two three bend and lower over and over until he sits. Sing it again only one two three stand tall when it is time to stand. Same when he's walking and freezes....one two three move right foot......then change to left foot etc. My husband would sing it with me and it always helped him. I even use to sing it to him as he chewed his food. As someone else stated it took the intense concentration off the brain and made it easier to just perform the task. Music, even a simple phrase to a melody, seems to make it easier.My husband is going into year 6 with PSP and unfortunately is now in hospice care but the above helped for many years. God Bless and good luck.

[Perrywrinkle in reply to mjtogether]

Hi mj! I love your suggestion of the one-two-three singing. I will definitely try this. I'm sorry your husband is in hospice care. I know that is something we will need as time goes on and he degenerates more. It's sad but it's such a wonderful organization and a comfort to know it's available when the time comes. Thank you so much for responding .