ALZ for 6 yrs, newly diagnosed with Parkinson's. Is it LBD?

kebertowski · February 2021

My mom has lived with us for 11 yrs, diagnosed with ALZ almost 6 yrs ago. The hand tremors started last summer, pill rolling of the thumbs started last fall. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's yesterday. She was also put on meds a few years ago for incontinence and swallowing issues that we now believe could be early symptoms and not separate issues.

I have been on Alz.org, lbda.org, Mayo Clinic and many other sites. My question is, can a person have separate Alz and Parkinson's diagnosis or if both are present, does it mean she has Lewy Body? The dementia showed up before the physical tremors, (before the incontinence and swallowing issues if they are to be included,) so it would be Lewy Body and not Parkinson's dementia. I guess I'm just trying to look ahead.

Her neurologist told me I stole his thunder when I asked him about LDB so he was about to mention it and is setting us up with a specialist so we have not seen him yet and I'm just trying to make sense of maybe what's to come.

Can you have both separately or does it automatically mean she has LBD or are there other options she could have that I have yet to have seen?

jfkoc · February 2021

My husband went from MCI> Parkinson's> LBD. My take away was that the drugs for PD/LBD are not the same as for ALZ. The care giving was the same.

Yes, I think one can also have ALZ.

Here is a good read:

https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/understanding-parkinsons-disease-dementia-lewy-bodies/

dayn2nite2 · February 2021

An educated guess might be made, but the only way to definitely know what he had is to arrange for a brain autopsy after death. That's how Robin Williams' family found out what he had.

If you intend to do that, you will need to make the arrangements prior to death, as there is a limited window possible after death to remove the brain and there is a specific procedure for that.

Iris L. · February 2021

There is a host of non-mobility symptoms for Parkinson's that include gastro-intestinal symptoms. At the same time, swallowing issues may indicate end-stage disease. Your mom may benefit from a swallowing evaluation to look for evidence of aspiration.

Iris L.

kebertowski · March 2021

Thanks everyone. Mom has an appoitment scheduled with a specialist referred by her Neurologist, (whom we absolutely adore!) so I guess we'll see where we go from here.

jfkoc · March 2021

please let us know how the appt went

Lilydaisy · May 1

My DW is 74 and has had AD for 7+ years now after 2 years MCI. Likely stage 5-6 and living at home with me. She has shown signs of tremors lately in her hands, but no other signs of Parkinson's that I can tell.

It seems early for me to jump to the conclusion that she now has Parkinson's, but should I be more worried?

And if there is Parkinson's how does that change the Alzheimer's e.g. make it progress faster, restrict movement, etc? Thanks.

harshedbuzz · May 2

@Lilydaisy

This is an old post and unlikely to get as much traffic as if you'd created a new post.

It's also possible your wife has developed Essential Tremor which is a fairly benign condition. I have both conditions in my family and they look a little different. IME, the symptoms of Parkinson's seemed to have impacted both individuals in terms of gaits initially. One started to have random falls around the time she was diagnosed as she was catching her shoes when she shuffled. Both of their hand tremor was more at rest and classic pill rolling.

The 2 with ES have mostly hand tremors which are worse when they're trying to actively use them. One also has head involvement. Neither have issues with gait.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons-disease/essential-tremor-vs-parkinsons

HB

Lilydaisy · May 3

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/242158#Comment_242158

Thanks for that insight. I'll watch it closely.

ALZ for 6 yrs, newly diagnosed with Parkinson's. Is it LBD?

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