Guest guest Posted March 5, 2002 Report Share Posted March 5, 2002 I can only tell you that my husband Leo has a very " dead pan " expression a lot, not sad not happy, not interested. But he can still smile sometimes. He does not communicate anymore, move, or eat. I feel that he has progressed pretty far with MSA. Ginger 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? > > > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2002 Report Share Posted March 5, 2002 , The facial " mask " is caused by muscle atrophy as are many problems with MSA. However, it does not usually cause cognitive problems, that is often a sign of infection. Take care, Bill Werre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Greetings again, ! You bring up some interesting points. It's my understanding from research that's been done into this area (thank you discovery channel and pbs), that we react internally to how we act outwardly. For most of us that means we need to somewhat exaggerate how we react. When I do that, it seems to lift my spirits. However, yes. When my symptoms get worse, I find that I get this deer in the headlights look. I am unable to read. Unable to focus on anything. I will often listen to the TV, but generally not be really engaged with that. When possible sleep helps. But with poor sleep, that often doesn't help. (Another common problem is problems sleeping). I have recently started using Wellbutrin to help me cut through this fog. Per my neurologist, it's not at a high enough dosage to act as a full anti-depressant. (I only take 150mg once in the morning). However, doctors and patients find this helps cut through this fog. So far it seems to be helping. And recently, this fog has become more and more of a concern for me. I feared that if I could not focus any better, it would impact my job performance. And in the computer field, being a valuable employee is crucial these days. I am no longer thinking long term disability is my only option. I am seem to be better able to do my job. Regards, =jbf= B. Fisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Greetings Bill! Yes, it is true that MSA generally does not cause cognitive functions. However, many people here do not a slowing of cognitive function. This probably seems more exaggerated for those of us that are younger, and suddenly face the challenge of fighting through neurological issues and medication. Both impact us. Both can overwhelm our ability to work. So, it may just be a matter of perspective. While still working that type of slowing and fuzziness is a large concern. This is especially true when one must worry about the impact on the job and employment. Regards, =jbf= B. Fisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Boy, do I ever. It seems to progress in my case to the point where I not only have the continuous " blank " stare and expressionless facial features to (at times) I completely freeze, can barely more,can't think, act, or move. Anyone else with similar? Ray 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? > > > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Ray, This sounds the way Warren is when he has a seizure. No response whatever, can't even talk. Eases up after a while and gradually everything starts working again. S. 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? > > > > > > > > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Ray, This sounds the way Warren is when he has a seizure. No response whatever, can't even talk. Eases up after a while and gradually everything starts working again. S. 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? > > > > > > > > > > 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...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 Ray, This sounds the way Warren is when he has a seizure. No response whatever, can't even talk. Eases up after a while and gradually everything starts working again. S. 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? > > > > > > > > > > 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...
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