RE:The Mask

[Guest guest]

:

Being Fred's caregiver I do see what you call the MASK....other's also see it. I know one day Fred was outside in the yard and the woman across the street waved to Fred. She tolded me later about seeing Fred out there and she waved to him, he waved, but didn't smile at her and she asked if he was mad at her. I tolded her that Fred wasn't mad, he just can't smile anymore. The Mask is always there. The other thing that you asked was about memory. I've found that Fred is forgetting more and more. I can tell him something and he'll ask again a little while later or the next day. I've also notices now that his talking again in his sleep. He did this when he was first ill, and then stopped it, but it's starting up again. He'll call me and I'll go into his room and he'll be asleep. Just never know what will be from day to day.

Take Care

Vera

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From: "bigredbmw" <bigredbmw@y...>

Date: Tue Mar 5, 2002 10:28 am

Subject: The Mask

I've heard a lot of talk about the lack of facial expression and any

outward emotion in PD and MSA patients. This is becoming more and

more of a problem for me. My friends and family think I'm "blue"

(i.e. depressed) when more often than not my emotions are completely

absent. Sometimes, I get the feeling like I'm in a room inside my

body and there's no doors or windows to let anything in or out. I

have thoughts and feelings but they seem to just stay locked inside,

with no means of expression.

Naturally, this reduces the perception that I'm a "fun guy"... I just

have this blank, lights are on but nobody's home, kind of look to

myself (from what people say). Others have described it as looking

hollow. I know what they mean, because when they mention it, I do

feel sort of empty...

I find that in these times, my cognitive functions (memory,

organization, etc.) all head for the dumper as well. Do caregivers

and other MSA patients notice this sort of thing?