Re: Help needed

["Robert A. Fink, M.D." <rafink@xxxxxxx>]

Camilla relayed:

> >-----Original Message-----
> >>From: Kathy Bailey <k.bailey7@xxxxxxx>
> >>To: paulmote@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <paulmote@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >>Date: Sunday, May 02, 1999 5:38 PM
> >>Subject: PD pt had heart surgery
> >>
> >> Dear Editor, I am writing to you in hopes that you can help me find some
> info, or you can tell me where to go from here. My 67 yr.. old father has
> been diagnosed with PD for over a year. He does not have tremors, but has
> the stiff shuffle to his step, and the blank stare in his face. Weak muscles
> control, falls sometimes etc... This is not the reason that I am writing to
> you. He had heart surgery 8 days ago. He is not doing well. We thought he
> had a stroke at first. A CAT scan was done and they have ruled out a stroke.
> They said that because of the PD, he would be slow to wake up. They also
> have done an EEG, and he doesn't have much brain activity. When we talk to
> him, he more or less has a blank look and his eyes are fixed, usually to the
> ceiling. He has mumbled a few words, but not many. He has some movement in
> his hands and legs, not much. I am writing to you in hopes of finding
> someone else (PD patient) that has had a similar experience after surgery,
> or has any hope or input for us. We pray this is a temporary setback because
> of the PD and we try each day to think of some way to help him. I look
> forward to hear from you. Thank you, Kathy Bailey

The information is incomplete.  There is as yet no diagnosis (at
least that is being communicated).  There is a cause for this
syndrome and it is NOT Parkinsonism.

Something has happened during or associated with the surgery.  A CT
scan may not show a stroke early on (it will usually show up within a
week), and there are other causes as well for the neurological
symptoms.  Ask for a good neurological or neurosurgical consultation
and insist on a diagnosis.


Best,

Bob

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ROBERT A. FINK, M. D., F.A.C.S.
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street  Suite 222
Berkeley, CA  94704-2636  USA
Phone:  (510) 849-2555   FAX:  (510) 849-2557

WWW:  <>

mailto:rafink@xxxxxxx

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

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