Guest guest Posted August 15, 2001 Report Share Posted August 15, 2001 Dear Diane, I am sorry your husband is experiencing these difficulties. Regarding his depression, have you spoken with his doctor about changing the type of antidepressant he is on? I know that it can take several trials before you find the right drug. You may want to speak with a psychiatrist if you haven't already. Best wishes, V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2001 Report Share Posted August 15, 2001 Diane, It is important that he exercise regularly. It does not have to be aerobic exercise - only stretching or range of movement exercise. Many communities have swimming pools and arthritis range of movement classes which are very good for MSA patients. Studies have shown that a daily exercise actually does two things for movement disorder patients. One - is that it allows movement for a longer period of time and Two - it lowers depression. Unfortunately, this requires a lot of extra work for the caregiver as it sounds as if his legs need a lot of work. Here are things that can help (from experience of 11 years) * Make him sit in a wheelchair for longer periods of time (wait 15 minutes to get to him when he inssts on going back to bed) - he can do exercises for upper body in a wheelchair. They also have little bicycle petal things that he can work while in a wheelchair. * Make sure he comes to a full standing position in transfers and make sure he takes at least a few steps on EVERY transfer, you need to steady him probably. Don't let him lurch around by himself - too dangerous. * You will have to work his Achilles tendons - when he is laying in bed lift his heel with one hand under the ankle aand push his toes toward his head slowly but firmly a minute at a time, several times and at least twice a day. The doctors can authorize (prescribe) physical and speech therapy which can help. Medicare will pay it's part for awhile (even in your home). If he does not have a wheelchair he needs to get one, so you can get him out of the house more often. Falls are really bad as he can break a hip or his head. A wheelchair will prevent falls or at least keep him from falling as far, and still allow mobility. From experience, he should NOT be in the kitchen. Electric range burn marks are still on my wife's arm 6 years after she fell on the hot range. Good luck, MSA patients tend to be stubborn as they do not want to give up their independance. Take care, Bill and Charlotte =========================== Diane Yates wrote: > It's been awhile since I have subscribed to this list serve. My husband > was diagnosed with MSA in December of 2000. I had to unsubscribe myself > to this list serve because I was beginning to feel overwhelmed since > most people on this list seemed to be more progressive than my husband > was at the time. However, after eight month my husband has progressed > to the use of two forearm crutches and really needs a walker but of > course TO STUBBORN to use one. He talks constantly about extreme > weakness in his legs and upper body, urinary frequency especially at > night, and most days is able to get out of bed without assistance. > > My problem is that I don't feel the Dr's really can or will do > anything. They treat symptoms but keep telling us they don't know > enough about this disease so therefore they just can treat symptoms. My > husband fell for the 3rd time in the kitchen and we had to take him to > the ER for a bumped up shoulder--he is fine but boy did it scare us. > > The main issue that I am dealing with his depression. Yes he is on a > anti depressive medication. I have this man who has gone from being a > very strong muscular man, worked everyday as a pipefitter, active > father, devoted husband, who now just doesn't act like he gives a darn > about anything. We have gone from the crying spells daily to just > DEPRESSION. > > Your support is requested at this time. I have gone to the Dr. for help > for myself, but not knowing what the future holds is driving me NUTS. > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.