Parkinson's and delirium

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1

Hi, My Dad is 75 and was diagnosed with parkinsons back in 2013. He has been coping extremely well until February this year. He is still on the same medication regime since the start: Co-careldopa 25mg/100mg tablets 3 times a day.
In February he felt unwell and then had a fall, the GP thought a possible mini-stroke. After a second fall he was taken to hospital and rapidly progressed into delerium. No cause of this was clear after several tests so they assumed a UTI and treated with antibiotics. He recovered mentally but his coordination was affected - he went from living alone with no walking aids to needing a 4WW and moving into a care home as can no longer get in and out of bed.
Since then he has had 7 episodes of delerium - sometimes with signs of infection in blood and sometimes not. After each one he does recover but there seems to be no reason for them. The Parkinsons nurse and GP say it is a symptom of parkinsons but they are not looking to change his medication as he has postural hypotension (although this is managed well with an abdominal binder).
I am hoping others may have similar stories or experiences to share? Could it be mini-strokes? He does not have any risk factors for stroke other than parkinsons.
He is currently back in hospital with delerium and again all tests are coming back normal - I don’t know what I should be asking the Drs so any advice welcome.

Many thanks, Joanna

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Hi, and welcome to our forum, Jo. Everyone here is very friendly and supportive, and I know they’ll be along soon to let you know what they think about your dad’s situation. You’re understandably concerned watching him go from an active person to someone who’s just not managing and having some worrying symptoms.
I’d also encourage you to call our Helpline on 0808 800 0303. It’s a confidential service for information and support on Parkinson’s. Our advisers would be pleased to talk to you about your dad.
I hope this situation gets more manageable and you’ll get the reassurance you need.
Jem
Forum Moderation Team

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Hi Joanna,

the episodes are recurrent and the same without any specific stroke like symptoms, so they are unlikely to be TIAs or strokes. Unfortunately delirum gets commoner as you get older, there are multiple triggers and it occurs frequently in Parkinsons. I assume he’s had scans of his head along the way so is unlikely to have had a stroke back in february. I would ask what happened in february to change him from mobile to bed bound. There may not be a clear answer and it may be the delerium itself.

I hope he improves soon,

all the best
Podd