Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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/ Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Loosing Weight

Lynnie200
Lynnie200
Is it normal to loose weight with this disease? I realize some people are gaining weight but my husband has lost weight with this disease. I think it also goes with lack of strength.
He has a good appetite, so it isn't from lack of eating. I have been told that other people loose weight, but is it one of the symptoms?
He used to wear 2 XL shirts and now wears XL. He looks good except for that this face and neck are more drawn.
terrapinstation945
terrapinstation945
i lost 60 pounds. down from 200 ish to 140 ish now back up to 180 ish.


Brer T.
terrapinstation945
terrapinstation945
Weight loss can be seen as part of Parkinson's disease and if left unchecked, it can reach extreme measures. This weight loss can be due to several factors alone or in combination with each other. For example, there is evidence to suggest that the different symptoms of PD can cause a greater calorie burn (the constant tremor or the effort needed to move the muscles against the rigidity of PD) so that some patients need to increase their calorie intake to maintain a good, healthy weight. Some patients also eat more slowly and hot foods can become tepid or cold foods too warm which can then leave the foods unappetizing and thus are not finished. Some patients with PD also experience a loss of the sense of taste which can affect the appetite. If this is the problem, preparing foods that are sweeter, spicier or just more flavorful may help to tempt the patient?s appetite. And as we age, we often cannot eat enough at one sitting (before feeling full) to sustain a good weight so smaller, more frequent meals may offer a greater chance of the patient actually taking in sufficient calories to maintain a good weight. Another consideration would be if the patient is depressed. Some people who are so depressed can notice their appetite being affected. (PD foundation)

i spice the he(double hockey sticks) out of my food so i can taste it and thereby crave it more. hehehehehehe good luck!

peace to you and yours


Brother Turtle
terrapinstation945
terrapinstation945
From what i have understood it is more of a case of "weight loss with the disease" and "weight gain with certain medicines"..........not exclusively of course...

Brer Turtle
Birdyfeather
Birdyfeather
I lost 20 pounds the first 6 months after I was diagnosed. From 124 down to 104. My husband did not like me so thin. Actually, I did like it. I have gained back about 5 pounds. The first 6 months the only meds I had taken was azilect. Don't know if it was from that or just all the trauma of the diagnosis.
Lynnie200
Lynnie200
Well my husband has a good appetite except when he is worried or upset about something, but even I am that way.
He has lost about 25 pounds in the last three years so he is down to 232 from 256, but he is also 6'3, so he can carry that weight. As I said he looks good but just more drawn in the face and neck and his muscles around his shoulders and chest aren't the same.
I haven't ask the MDS if this is from PD.
He's been having problems with blood in the urine when taking blood thinners, so he is scheduled for an ultra sound. He had a scope last Spring and they didn't find anything. I feel it from the Warfarin because when he reduces the dose, the urine is clear, but the low does doesn't do the job it's suppose to do.
We'll see what happens after the ultra sound and maybe another scope.