Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 : My wife, Terry, has some MSA manifestations you might find of interest. Her most prominent symptom is apathy. It is definitely not depression. The latter has been ruled out by her doctors. The apathy manifests with the frozen, dower looking facial expression; with a lack of drive and initiative for activities or even normal, interactive conversation. For those who do not appreciate her condition, she appears to be anti social and uninterested in those around her. In fact, she is - but it is due to the MSA. She was not always this way. Her cognitive skills are good as long as she is allowed to process inputs at her own, slower pace. She is easily overloaded by sensory inputs. You do not find apathy mentioned very often on this list. Actually, one of her doctors recently attended a professional conference where apathy was identified as a frequently unrecognized symptom. This is due in part to the fact that apathy is the LACK of normal behavior as opposed to the presence of an abnormal behavior. Terry's Dx is MSA/SND. Originally, it was Parkinson's Disease in 1995. Her rate of progression is slow fortunately. She also has trouble with depressed speech volume, occasional slurred speech, gait and balance instability, freezing, and small, almost illegible handwriting. One interesting aspect is that she is rather stoic and accepting about the whole situation. There is also a bit of denial going on. I hope this information is helpful to you. This is one of the benefits of this list; namely, to learn that our experiences are not unique to us as individuals. I also understand that the frozen facial mask is not uncommon in Parkinson's Disease. MSA/SND is often referred to as Parkinsons Plus because of the early similarities. The answer to your question is: Yes, some of us to experience the same sort of things. Good luck and God speed. Message: 17 Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 18:28:46 -0000 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? Sennewald Charlottesville, Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 , I also have the mask. I think I am smiling but I am not. Others have commented on it as well as my speech therapist. My speech therapist told me that it was normal for what I have going on with me. It is not something we can control. Sorry. God Bless, Belinda > 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? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 , I also have the mask. I think I am smiling but I am not. Others have commented on it as well as my speech therapist. My speech therapist told me that it was normal for what I have going on with me. It is not something we can control. Sorry. God Bless, Belinda > 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? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2002 Report Share Posted March 6, 2002 , I also have the mask. I think I am smiling but I am not. Others have commented on it as well as my speech therapist. My speech therapist told me that it was normal for what I have going on with me. It is not something we can control. Sorry. God Bless, Belinda > 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? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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