Re: Re: My Sister (drop in BP and confusion upon standing)

February 4, 2011

Sharon,

Thank you. Yes, she does think we're taking all her money. As far as her

having rages earlier in life, I never seen that side of her. However, her only

son said she could get on him pretty good. But I believe that was just

parenting. I've never heard her say a cross word to anyone, even when they

needed it.

I wish she would take up with a pet. One of the evening ladies that help us has

a small dog and she brings it with her. My sister loves him and even holds and

pets him, but she said she doesn't want one. Before she would never allow an

animal in her home. She was very particular about her house. I often told her

she was going to wash the varnish off her paneling she washed it so much.

Hope you have a blessed day.

Re: My Sister (drop in BP and confusion upon standing)

,

The drop in BP upon standing is called orthostatic hypotension (OH). Something

like 40% of those with LBD have OH. When the BP drops in this fashion, mental

confusion can be the result. Some do report these seizure-like episodes and,

often times, such events are due to drops in BP. Avoiding postural changes

sounds like a good plan. There is medication one can take, and some

non-pharmacological things as well (Jobst stockings, drinking lots of water

before standing, etc).

Pain should be addressed as a top priority. You might discuss a Fentanyl patch

with the MD.

Good luck,

Robin

>

> It's me again with another question. This past week the nurses at the assisted

living thought my sister was having mini seizures. When they would stand her up,

she would stiffen, lock her jaws, look with a blank stare and when she would

speak it would be all mumbled. We took her to the ER and the Doctor said he

thought it was a drop in blood pressure rather than seizures. Because when they

laid her down she would be better. She was a little dehydrated and her potassium

was a little low. They stopped the Zocar med. for a while, decreased her Laxis

and increased her potassium. . She is in constant pain and has now become a

little aggressive with us. This is totally out of character for her. I don't

know if it is the pain; a stage in the disease or a combination. Has anyone else

experienced this? In the ER the doctor gave her a low dose of Loretab for pain

and I was concerned what it may do to her, but it didn't phase her!!

>

February 4, 2011

good luck and i hope all goes well,Â ask any questions you need to,Â someone

here can help as there are mnay people in all different phazes of the lbd

rollercoaster ride.Â hugs. sharon

Subject: Re: Re: My Sister (drop in BP and confusion upon

standing)

To: LBDcaregivers

Date: Monday, January 31, 2011, 8:19 PM

Thank you for the information.

Having other issues now. I went over to take , my sister, for an appointment

to have a EEG. She was very agitated, started in on me as soon as I walked in.

Telling me I disappointed her, I didn't ever do anything for her and my day was

coming, couldn't understand why I was doing her that way. Refused to get out of

the car at the hospital. Planted her feet firmly to the floor board and wouldn't

move. This is a woman that it has been taking two people to get her to the

bathroom. Finally one of the employees at the assisted living facility was with

me and was able to get her out of the car. I thank God she was with me. This

disposition is so out of character for my sister. She has always been a very

humble person wouldn't say anything to hurt anyone. I'm hearing words come out

of mouth that I had never heard her say before. I know this disease causes them

to lash out at the ones they're closest to. I don't know if I need to back off

and hopefully in a

couple of days she will feel differently. I don't want to agitate her and get

her upset. I don't argue with her. I just try to comfort her and that sometimes

makes her worse. Any suggestions?

Thanks