Re: Question re: catatonic-like state

[Guest guest]

,

This can happen in LBD. It's often considered part of

the " fluctuating cognition " (core) symptom of the disease. But there

is a separate symptom (supportive) in the diagnostic criteria that

may apply: " Transient, unexplained loss of consciousness. "

Oddly, there's someone on the LBDA Forum whose mother experiences

such catatonia and he gives her Ambien (zolpidem), when he can get

her to swallow the tablets.

Generally I believe MDs treat " fluctuating cogntion " with AChEIs

(such as Aricept, Exelon, or Razadyne). Dr. Brad Boeve, a sleep

disorder and LBD expert, suggests the use of Provigil (modafinil), a

psycho-stimulant.

Good luck,

Robin

>

> My Dad was diagnosed with dementia three years ago, and recently

his

> medical team has become convinced that it is Lewy Body dementia.

Over

> the last three months there has been an acute worsening in Dad's

> condition - in cognitive function, motor skills (a number of

falls),

> visual hallucinations, loss of ability to perform the functions of

> daily living without supervision (dressing, bathing).

>

> In addition, there have been two incidents where he has been

foundin

> bed in a catatonic-like state. My Mom has gone to wake him in the

> morning, and he has been totally non-responsive. This continues for

> 30 minutes or more. During the second incident, she called me to

> help. After speaking to him for about 10 minutes, he opened his

eyes,

> but was only able to mumble, and his eyes kept closing as he seemed

> to slip back into the state. Eventually, I was able to get him to

> respond by wiggling his fingers when I aksed, and moving his feet.

> Finally, my sister (who is an RN) arrived, and was able to get him

up

> and moving. He needed alot of assistance over the following few

> hours, and then slowly imporved throughout the day. Later, he had

no

> recollection of the incident.

>

> Has anyone experienced anything similar? Do you have any advice on

> how we should handle this situation if it happens again? I really

> appreciate any feedback you have.

>

> Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

~

 

I don't know if perhaps my mother is further along in the disease than most of

the LO's here, but my mom has the catatonic states also.  She literally zones

out and is totally unresponsive to any of us.  We've had her checked for UTI's,

but all tests come back negative for any infection.  They're not long in

duration, and she does come back to a more responsive state.  They will happen

at almost any time, and we can't predict when they will happen or how long they

will last.

 

We do know that she's in the latter stages of LBD.  Her neurologist put her on

hospice care in January or February, and told us to not try any heroic measures

with her because they would be futile.  He recommended only end-of-life measures

and comfort issues.  She has visits from the hospice nurse twice weekly, and

home health comes in 2-3 times a week to bathe her and wash her hair.  The other

days we take care of her personal hygiene when she's too far out of it to do it

herself, but she cannot bathe herself any longer.  She also is not able to

support her weight on her legs, and some days her Parkinsonism makes eating

difficult.  However, she will not allow anyone to feed her.  We just clean up

after. 

I understand that the catatonia is scary, and when it first developed is when we

finally received the diagnosis of LBD.  Up until that point, they were saying

Parkinson's Disease. 

Jannis

Redefining Normal Every Day