ubject: HELLO .. I AM NEW HERE

May 1, 2002

:

Barb is on Vacation right now. Her husband Ken had what your father

has and she is very helpful. I'm sure she'll talk your ear off when she get's

home . This is a very helpfull group and we're more like family here. You've

came to the right place to fine what you need to know. We laugh, we cry and

we get goofy at times, well most of the time...but that's what makes our days

bright.

I'm Vera caregiver to my husband Fred who was DX with PD 2-98 and MSA 10-98

Sorry I need to run, Fred has a long list of you " got to do " .. So talk to you

later.

Take Care

Vera

Message: 15

Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 01:01:50 -0500

Subject: HELLO .. I AM NEW HERE

HELLO ALL..

MY NAME IS LINDA AND I TAKE CARE OF MY FATHER IN LAW THAT HAS DEMENTIA WITH

LEWY BODIES.. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE LOVE ONES WITH THIS. ? LOOK FORWARD TO

HEREING FORM YOU . ALL.. THANKS . LINDAD ( MISSOURI)

MY FATHER IN LAW HAS MOST OF THIS SO FAR..

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is a progressive dementia, the hallmarks of

which are hallucinations and fluctuating levels of attention. Some rigidity

and stiffness may be seen. There may also be a disturbed sleep pattern with

nightmares and abnormal behaviour. DLB is thought to be due to a faulty

production of a protein, which then builds up within the nerve cells of the

brain.

Cognitive decline is always a feature and memory problems occur in two out of

three patients. Characteristically these fluctuate in severity and are

associated with various degrees of alertness and attention span. There are

increasing problems of daily living. Stiffness is seen which appears similar

to that of Parkinson's disease and repeated falls often occur. Visual

hallucinations are present in 80% of patients and appear very detailed and

real and are usually related to people or animals. These hallucinations

often occur at night. Other behavioural problems similar to those seen in

Fronto-temporal dementia may be seen although not usually in the early stages

the illness. Neuroleptics should be avoided in view of sensitivity to side

effects. The side effects may cause rigidity and confusion and even reported

sudden death. In a last resort atypical (newer) neuroleptics may help. DLB is

thought to be the second commonest degenerative dementia after AD ..

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