Re: Back after long absence with a question

["Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" <fivestar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Gary,

> There are mental
> status changes that have been worse lately - confusion, hallucinations,
> delusions.
> His discomfort at night evolved into more than just some perceived pain
> from the fall - now he complains about a "drawing pain" in his legs, that's
> only relieved by walking - when he can walk - and a general feeling of
> pins-and-needles all over.  He's generally uncomfortable, doesn't know what
> to do, and tries to walk around... but he falls.
> My mom wants me to ask the list if anyone else has experienced this
> "drawing pain" in the legs or generalized pin-and-needle discomfort, and
> what you have done about it.
> Anyway, though the discomfort and insomnia are the most immediate problems,
> the most distressing to my mom and all of us are the mental status
> changes.  It's heartbreaking to have my dad fighting with me and yelling at
> me and not recognizing me.

While his medications should certainly be checked by his neurologist, it
would not be good to assume that all these changes are necessarily due
to PD. Many of my clients are consuming far too few nutrients,
especially the B vitamins, and deficiencies can lead to just such
symptoms as behavior changes, confusion, balance problems, etc. People
using levodopa may require a B vitamin supplement -- ask his physician
if there is any objection to his taking a supplement of B complex
(include ALL 8 B vitamins) daily for a few weeks. If he is taking
levodopa, he should take it at least 30 minutes before meals, and take
the B complex WITH meals, because the large amount of B6 can block
levodopa absorption.

Re the "drawing pains" in his legs, that could be neuropathy or other
condition; or it could be "restless leg syndrome." His physician should
be able to diagnose neuropathy. If s/he believes it is restless leg,
there are a couple of things you might try:

1) muscle movement is aided by several minerals -- calcium, magnesium,
and potassium. When we get too little, the muscles may be affected. You
should be sure he is getting at least 1500 mg calcium, and 400 mg
magnesium daily; and you could ask his physician if it's OK to give him
supplements of these. Good sources of potassium are fruits and
vegetables; calcium-fortified orange juice would be a good choice, also
potatoes and bananas.

2) Some people with RLS respond well to large doses of vitamin E; ask
his physician if it's OK to take up to 1500 IUs of vitamin E daily.
Vitamin E is a blood thinner so large amounts should not be used if he
is taking other blood thinners, like aspirin or coumadin. His doctor
will know if this is the case.

My very best regards to you and your parents,
Kathrynne



--
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
Medical nutrition therapy for Parkinson's disease
Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Parkinson's disease: assessing and managing unique nutrition needs;"
"Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson'sdisease,"
J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999.