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Hello! I work in an adult day center and have watched one of the participants steadily decline over the past 6 months. She hasn't been diagnosed with PD but a lot of her symptoms seem to jive. She has lost 30 pounds in nearly two months, she will suddenly vomit while eating, even though she's been diagnosed with dementia her confusion has rapidly increased. I noticed a tremor in her right hand probably a year ago. She is in a wheelchair for prior medical problems but just a year ago she was also using a walker. Now she has nearly no strength in her legs to get out of the chair and transfer to the toilet. Her legs are stiff and it's a struggle to get her to take three steps. She seems to have her urges mixed up - she needs to use the toilet but nothing happens. Ten minutes later she will have urinated in her briefs. She turns down all food because she's full and has now been vomiting during lunch. She barely eats her lunch as it is. Her left leg and toes have suddenly swelled up yet she only complains of back pain, as she has for years. Her confusion is progressing and she struggles to keep up with conversations. I want to help her family with useful suggestions. Does this sound like PD? Most dementias aren't this rapid. She is declining each day. I don't want to alarm her family but something is going on. Should I suggest PD as a possibility so she can be referred to a neurologist?

  1. Hi, – Thanks for your post. While this is a very unsettling issue, I’m happy to see that you’re proactively taking steps to help. This is great! If PD is suspected, she should be referred to a movement disorder specialist (MDS), which is a neurologist trained in movement disorders like PD. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any medical or diagnostic advice over the internet, so seeing an MDS would be the best course of action. I hope this helps! If you can, please keep us updated. Take care. -Chris, ParkinsonsDisease.net Team

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