Parkinson's and making stuff up

[Tulip26]

Hi all, this is my first post on here. Looking for some advice re: Parkinson's. My Dad has recently had a medication change and has started to say things which I find very hard to believe. He's always been a story teller to be taken with a pinch of salt but recently it's gotten more serious. I don't want to drip feed but I can't out myself with what I'm saying either.

He seems to genuinely believe what he's saying and it's getting quite worrying. He believes our cat who went missing ten years ago is alive and well and living in a house on the next street. Cat would be nineteen now. Apparently he saw him at the vets. I haven't had chance to check this out yet if it is true. Not to repeat myself but this is one of many unlikely things which has allegedly happened in the past few weeks.

Does anyone else have any experience of this? Is this normal? I am very just a concerned daughter here.

The first thing is to find out if the new meds can cause this. Look the name up on Google. Next maybe your Dad has a urine infection. this can cause all sorts of confusion. My Mum sees folk from the past who are long gone, animals like horses who come for dinner.

I don't know anything about Parkinson's but looked it up and found a couple of the symptoms can be
visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not real)
delusions (believing in things that are not true)
He probably needs to go back to the dr and tell them what is happening. Maybe best if someone goes with him as he will not know that what he has been saying is wrong.

Thanks. It's difficult as we're not that close. He seems to genuinely believe what he's saying so I don't want to call bullshit. However I've had three far-fetched stories from him in the past two weeks, all after a recent medication change. Might have to casually ask what his new tablets are and do some research. He's still working full time and being quite independent so a sudden behaviour change is a big worry for the future.

Have a word with his Doctor. My understanding is that Alzheimers, MS and Parkinson's all have quite similar causes, in terms of brain deterioration. MS is associated with Lewi body dementia, which involves hallucinations.

Sorry re-read that you are not that close. You might try the Alzheimer's Society forum Talking Point. Lots of knowledge about all forms of dementia and linked illnesses. Or a specific organisation for people with Parkinson's.

My uncle had Parkinson's with Lewy Body dementia. The hallucinations you describe sound very similar. I would ask for more information if possible. It did take a couple of years for the final diagnosis as his Parkinson's progressed.

Also as mentioned before, urine infections can cause the hallucinations as well. It may be the only symptom but worth getting that checked out too.

Wishing you both well.

HairyPotter is right in the link with Parkinson and dementia.

My mum has Levy Body dementia with a "hint of Parkinsonism"

Parkinson and Dementia are on a sliding scale with Parkinson on one side, Levy Body Dementia as a mix between the two, and Dementia on the other side. You will find these illnesses in clusters in families.

My gran had Dementia (quite possibly Levy Body, based on her hallucinations), her oldest son had Parkinson (he had vivid hallucinations, so for him the psychotic elements were prominent), her second son "just" Parkinson, third son "just" Alzheimers or vascular dementia which were slow progressing and without any hallucinations. My mum, as I said has Levy Body variety.

If your dad is living on his own you should bring his hallucinations to his GP, as he may need reassessing.

My auntie had Parkinson's. The medications made her impulsive and gave her a dreadful mail order shopping habit, but when she hallucinated or told tall stories, it was almost always down to contracting a UTI.

It's worthwhile the GP taking and testing a urine sample. We found the UTIs flared up when she wasn't taking her medication regularly enough and wasn't taking enough fluids. If you're not able to administer his medication for him, perhaps you could call him at regular times I the day to remind him to do so?

He's very, very impulsive. He came into some money last year. Promised me he was going to invest it, save it, etc.

He booked a cruise with it... Saw it in a shop window, walked in, spent the lot in one go. He's also got ongoing problems with gambling so at least it didn't get wasted there.

This is one for the Parkinson's website, but what meds is he on? Some of it can create impulsiveness, gambling and so on, so I'd suggest you change it. Straightforward Madopar is generally okay imo, but some of the agonists which I think act on the madopar to make it more effective, can play up. Also, a simple painkiller added to the mix can create mad delusions, fictional people entering the house and so on.

FFS go to a Parkinson's specialist and change the meds imo.

It's true that a urine infection can also wreak havoc on the mind.