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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pdcaregiver 05/07/2013

My mom has 7-8 years of PD. Two month ago she went to visit family abroad to Kazakhstan (she lives in Cambridge MA with me) and about month ago she notice that her legs are swollen. She said it started on her toe first and now both legs are swollen. She is been hospitalized and they checked her kidneys and found no obvious problems. She has been having her bladder problems a few years back and been put on Flomax then on Alfuzosin . I know that she has more bladder issues now over there. I wonder if you have any suggestions? Seems that doctors there helpless.
I'm flying there next week and will be there for ten days and fly back. I have to bring her back, but very concern that it will be difficult for her to travel. She slow down a lot with her feet swollen. I'm so concern now that I may not be able to bring her back.

Zlata 05/08/2013

Hi is she on Mirapex that causes feet to swell . Oe she eats lots of salty food , She has to eat with out salt just flavor food with spices no salt and this problem more likely will go away; Also maybe some water pill , like a Lasix if you can get Dr to prescribe it for her . But then she has to be monitored for potassium level . Have blood test every few weeks to make sure that she is not to low and if she is get a replacement . Or she can get potassium spearing like Hydrodiuril. But you have to get Dr to prescribe it. Because that also decrease blood pressure, Good luck. I hope this will help.

deleted_user 05/08/2013

I have the same problem. My doctor thought it was Gout. after checking my Uric Acid it was decided not to be.

I got blood tests and X-rays with results next week.

Meantime the Dr. told me to get the ointment Traumeel to ease the pain and swelling. I is working some . Get it at Whole Foods or Sprouts.

bcbid68 05/08/2013

My feet and ankles were swollen to twice their size. I was on Re-quip.Stopped taking it ,. Problem went away.

deleted_user 05/08/2013

So sorry about your mom and her ankles. If she is having bladder problems try to bring her some cranberry pills when you go. You can buy them at most stores by the vitamins. Those help immensely for any bladder infections or problems. They are just dried cranberries in a capsule but they do work. Be sure her shoes fit well and give her support.

All on here are more knowledgeable then me about the PD meds. I am not on them yet but my ankles swell also, pretty bad. I also find that keeping them up a lot or even ice pack helps. I think mine are from the surgery I had on both of them. I do not walk right because they really messed up my big toe and my feet are out of alignment. Does your mom have a wheel chair you can put her in at the airport? Sure hope things turn around for her....hugs to you.

pdcaregiver 05/09/2013

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! She is on Requip and recently her neuro start reducing it's dose. I was told by my family that she doesn't recognize when she needs to go to bathroom. This was not the case when she was with me here before she left two month ago. I really hope this is reversible . There is so much to worry about her. I will surely update you on her situation when I'll bring her back to US. I really need your support! I hope I can keep her spirit up. Seems there is really not much care for Parkinson's patients in Kazakhstan.
Again thank you all for your support! Sometimes I feel completely lost.

beekeeper42 05/18/2013

PDCare,

The other replies to your question are certainly worthy of careful reading. My own suggestion is to look beyond PD. Get some compression hose for your mom and have her wear those stockings whenever she is going to be sitting inactive (like on a long plane flight) or standing for long periods of time. Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is nothing to sneeze at. I have it, and I always wear compression hose on long trips. FYI, there is a good Daily Strength DVT Forum to get more information. I would recommend the compression hose whether or not you take any of the other suggestions.

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