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Sat 19 Sep, 2009 09:54 am
Hello everyone.
I was at a restaurant with my father, who is 61 and has Parkinson's, when he had an "incident" today. Please let me explain in detail, and please read to the end; I am quite worried about what happened.
Firstly, my father's speaking became softer and softer. He asked me if I wanted to go to the police station now, which was not part of our plans. When I aked him why he said because you need a licence for everything. And he kept on repeating the phrase "because you need a licence for everything" about 10 or 15 times. He was leaning forward and his eyes were closing slowly. Then he had this strange "far-out" look on his face, he smiled, he was drooling, and he was un-responsive. Me and the owner were asking him if he was ok and other questions, but it was like he never even knew we were there, he was looking around slowly, smiling, falling over and his eyes closing. I went through he pockets to pay and find his cellphone to phone someone, but he didn't respond, he didn't know I was doing it. He also couldn't talk, only very soft grunting. We found a number and the owner's girlfriend called his neurologist and went down the road to talk to the pharmacist who knows him. After phoning around someone (the pharmacist or his neurologist) said we should call an ambulance, so we did.
While we were waiting my father got better. He was sitting upright, talking coherently, like he usually is. I later found out he had no idea of what had just happened. He said we needed to go to the atm. I tried to stop him to tell him to wait for the ambulance, but he refused. So I went with him to the atm, but while we were walking he collapsed, and me and two other men had to take him back to the restaurant. The whole time he could stand, but kept saying we had to go back (to the atm).
The ambulance arrived, but my father refused to get in. He was standing on his own and was better now. He only agreed to a blood sugar test (it was 5.8), but otherwise he refused any treatment. We walked home after the ambulance left (they can't force him to go to hospital or the doctor). While we were walking home he collapsed again, and couldn't stand. Thankfully one young man offered to drive us home, of all the thousands of other people in their fancy cars. We got home, and my father could walk into the house fine without any help. He got into the lounge but then had trouble standing. He's now sitting in the lounge watching football and he seems to be fine, his usual self.
I asked my father if he's fine and he keeps saying he is. I asked him if he knew what went on today and he didn't. He is refusing to phone his doctor or go to hospital. He won't give me his doctors number. He says he will only mention it when he goes to see his doctor in three weeks. He says it is a normal part of Parkinson's.
Is this normal behaviour for people with Parkinson's? Should I be worried? What should I do?
Thank-you for any help.
@Quincy,
Sounds like a transient ischaemic attack to me.....which is where blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted by a narrowed artery, or a tiny clot.
This is often warning of an incipient stroke, and should be taken very seriously.
Of course, it might be something else entirely, but it sounds potentially serious, and I think your dad needs a full medical evaluation.
I know he is being stubborn about it.
If he says it is a normal part of his illness it may be.
Just checking on net:
Is he on Mirapex (pramipexole)?
It suggests here
http://doublecheckmd.com/EffectsDetail.do?dname=Mirapex&sid=10341&eid=2974
that episodes which cursorily sound similar to what you describe may occur:
Quote:Mirapex may cause confusion/disorientation in 4% of people.
This drug may also cause the following symptoms that are related to confusion/disorientation:
Drowsiness (common). This symptom may occur with doses higher than 1.5 mg/day
Memory loss in 4% of people
Strabismus in 4% of people
Difficulty thinking in 2% of people
Inability to comprehend language in 2% of people
Reduced thinking ability/mental clarity in 2% of people
Blackout spells
Decreased alertness/consciousness
Reduced thinking ability
Change in level of consciousness (less frequently)
@dlowan,
Quote:Dopamine agonists
Dopamine agonists have a similar effect to levodopa, but they work in a different way. They lock on to the dopamine receptors in your brain, which receive signals from the dopamine that tell your body to move. Therefore, dopamine agonists act as a substitute for dopamine.
Unlike levodopa, dopamine agonists do not need to be converted in your body to become active. They are mostly prescribed in tablet form, but can also be taken by intravenous injection (injection in the vein). Dopamine agonists are sometimes taken at the same time as levodopa, in order to allow lower doses of levodopa to be used.
The possible side effects of dopamine agonists are similar to those of levodopa, and also include nausea and vomiting. However, episodes of confusion, or hallucinations, are more common with dopamine agonists, so they need to be used cautiously, particularly in the elderly, who may be more susceptible to these symptoms.
That's from here:
http://www.wellsphere.com/wellguide.s?articleId=278§ionId=11&searchString=Stiff
Here's a thread I started which may have some good sites for you:
http://able2know.org/topic/44678-1
TIA, or perhaps a seizure.
What does his neurologist say?
If he continues to refuse to go to a doctor, video record him when this happens.
I got a Flip Video camera for that very purpose, and there was no denying something was going on when anyone watched it.
In addition, it was a good way to let the doctors see exactly what is happening. You can go to his doctor on your own, and show him/her.
Thank you everyone for your responses. I will have to find out what medication he is taking.
My sister managed to extract his neurologist, gp and kidney specialist's phone numbers (he also has kidney problems). His neurologist says the epsiode does not sound like anything caused by Parkinson's, and he cannot say what it is unless he can run some tests on him. He said my father should see a gp as soon as possible. My father still refuses; he says all the gp will do is run a few tests, charge him a lot of money (he is on medical aid though), and still not know whats wrong with him (he's seen amny doctors and been in and out of hospital over the past five years or so). So he will not see any doctor until he meets his neurologist in 3 weeks. We are planning on getting a gp to do a house call and we'll pay, but we don't know what time he's at home, and the doctor may come but our father can still refuse to have any tests taken.
He has been fine since then, he's walking around, gardening, shopping etc. without problems.
He is taking tenbloka (Atenolol), Cardugen and some other yellow tablets, I don't know what since the label has worn off (I had to go behind his back and search his cupboard). He may be on other medication for his blood pressure and/or kidneys.
I don't own a video recorder, and my cell phone is broken (waiting for a new one), so at the moment it is not possible for me to record him if this happens again. This is the first time I've seen him like this, and he seems fine now. Anyhow, cellphone footage is shady at the best of times, lol.
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