Compulsions

Hello all, still waiting for a response..any response from the consultants office (see thread in meet and greet) i swear the temptation to just turn up and speak to his secretary and find out exactly what type of service they actually believe they offer and how they expect people to cope with it at this level....is really quite strong. especially as i work at the hospital and know where the office is!

anyway.. onto more mundane things.

i've been reading a lot about compulsions. and dad and i wondered tonight whether the behaviour of mum might be related. or if its just down to an heroic desire not to give in.

there are numerous times in every day when mum will take on tasks that she doesnt need to. which tend to put her in danger of a fall.
most of the times she falls (they are almost every day) are down to her doing something that someone else could quite easily do for her. bearing in mind that she probably has about 2 hours a day when she's able to be out of bed at all. when she is down she'll suddenly decide to get up (when theres a house full of us) when we ask where she's going it will be to fetch tablets or make tea, when clearly we're there to do it.

i dont know whether its just mum fighting to maintain her independance or whether she just feels the urge to do this and doesnt think about the risks? the interesting bit is that she has never explained this activity in those terms, and seemingly doesnt really have an explanation of why she might do it. although one of her biggest concerns and causes of her distress is the worry, effort etc that she causes in my dad as a result of her falling over. (she hides this whenever she can)

logically you'd think that if you knew this caused grief to your carer, and this upset you, you'd stop doing it. but i'm aware that this isnt a norml situation. i do think that if this behaviour could be attributed to PD meds it would make dad feel better. at the moment he feels like he;s barely holding it all together and mum isnt helping by taking crazy risks (going outide clinging desperately to the wall, just to pass on a non urgent message)

if he could accept that this was because of the meds and not something she had control over, this might at least make it easier to cope with.

sorry for rambling. not a great night. and wine has been consumed!

again, knowing you guys are here makes such a difference, and i try to pass that onto dad.

Paul
Hi Swanny,
Your Mum's behaviour could well be due to her medication - I'm no expert mind - just talking from my own experience. I find that when I am in the 'on' mode (about 2 hrs a day) I rush round the house gathering up washing, tidying etc. when there is no need to hurry at all. It is more like (i) I have to make use of the 'on' time while I'm feeling normal, and (ii) I have to prove that my joints and muscles will work; that I won't be siezed up for the rest of my life. When the medication wears off I become the slow-moving resigned being again.

Don't know if this will help your Dad understand, but I hope you and your family soon get the appt. and can live on a more even keel.
Best wishes, Mary
hi swanny,

yes i agree it sounds like the meds.
i go through stages where i have to get up and do things while i can. i can't seem to relax just keep going no matter how trivial to others to me its very important.
they have tweeked my meds now and i am a bit better, i'm not saying its definately the case with your mum but it may be worth looking into.
try not to worry she will get there, but just watch her and let her do her thing, the more you tell her not to, the more she will, and she will then start to do things when you are not looking,if shes anything like me.
good luck and i wish you all well
goldi.....
Hi Paul.

It could well be your mothers medication. What meds does she take and what dosage?
Their are many forms of compulsive behaviour that effect pwp.
Pathological gambling and hypersexuality are probably the most widely discussed OCD's, but every compulsion should be addressed as important and warrant understanding and control.
In the U.S.A. a man, upon receipt and intake of his new Mirapexin drugs, painted the outside of his home 15 times in 6 weeks.
It might seem funny to some (especially neighbours) but it must have frightened his family considerably. The cost of succumbing to compulsions can be exremely damaging to relationships as well as financial stability.
Keep a good eye on your mum. If its a dopamine agonist that she has been prescribed, then look for a dosage reduction or an alternative drug from your neuro.

Good luck Paul

Pokermid
Hi Pokermid, in your reply you mentioned 'Hyper sexuality. We are in our eighties and I am embarrased to mention this to anyone as I though it was just my husband, have you any idea what tablets cause this?? (maybe we could pass some on to a younger person:grin:)Only joking of course but it really is a worry to me, and to him as he has visions of ME leaving him for other men, after 62 years of marriage I think NOT, having written all this you don't have to reply if you would rather not... best Wishes J
Hi Swanny,
Are your parents of an age where your Dad was the bread winner and your Mum was a 'housewife and mother'. If so this could be something as simple as your Mum trying to carry on with her 'role' and to keep her independance.I know this sounds sexist but I have seen this in my own mum who is disabled (not PD). mum found it hard to 'swap' roles with my dad. he is now does the cleaning, cooking and has taken on the 'caring' role. My Mum felt inadequate for a long time. After seeing an OT they have found ways that Mum can do some of the 'housewife' things that she did. It has meant some compromise but she is alot happier! I am of a different era and used to think I hated housework but since my diagnosis with PD I now find that I too am fighting to stay independant and carry on with 'normal' daily things.
I think you should consult with your Mum's Specialist and see what causes of this you can rule out.
Best wishes,
Jules x

I read your comment on your mother, the comments you said that it seems to be the norm, as i find with my mother she is convinsed that she can still do all the things she use to be able to do before she got worse,

She seems to think that her body can do these things but she cant. My father was afread to leave her alone when he had to go out as when ever he did he would find her on the floor when he got back, even though there was no reason to get up as he made sure she had drinks close to her and she didnt need anything while she was gone, So i know where you are comming from.

We have now had to put her into a home, it has made dad feel like hes failed her but at the end of the day he couldnt cope  any longer, Now she seems quite happy , shes looked after very well, and since shes been there she hasnt falled many time, which is good from our point off view,

Tina