Dad listing to one side...

[CraigC]

Hi All,

we have had a few problems with dad recently. Initially we thought he may have a bladder infection but antibiotics have not cleared it up. We have the GP out again soon and will hopefully get more idea of what is wrong and also get dad booked into a hospital for some tests.

He has pains around the groin and winces every now and then while clutching his bladder. As I say, it is best to get the medical professionals to take a look.

My question (the above was just a bit of history). Dad has also at the same time developed a list. The GP says that this may be related to his dementia and I've done a little research and this seems to be related to the latter stages of Alzheimer's.

I'm wondering if other people have come across their loved ones leaning to one side (it is from the hip up) OR if this could be something more serious related to his current medical problems?

Any information on your experiences greatly appreciated

thanks
Craig

 

[rummy]

Hi Craig,
My Mom didn't list to one side but became very unsteady on her feet when we discovered she had a UTI. That is when several on the forum told me that is symptomatic of a UTI and so is increased confusion which was also present.
The UTI in now gone and Mom has improved in that regard with the exception of the normal decline.
Hope your dad feels better soon.
Debbie

 

[Brucie]

I'm hoping I'm not going to get flamed for showing a picture of Jan when she was listing, but the one below was taken at my birthday do in 2001. It shows the extent so well, and if it helps anyone at all, and especially you, Craig, then I know she would not want me to hold back.

Really, I don't think one can appreciate the extent without a picture.

Jan listed to the left heavily, then sometimes to the right.

Since then I have also seen people bent totally forward, and very alarmingly backwards [yet without falling].

No-one ever gave me an explanation that satisfied me.

 

[rummy]

It amazes me that we keep learning new things via TP ! I have not heard of this before, it is hard to believe a doctor can't offer an explanation to it ! I could understand if it was a twitch in the side or a pain but to be constant is something else entirely. Did it subside Bruce?
Debbie

 

[Brucie]

It was entirely unpredictable. some days it was heavily pronounced, one side or the other, other days it was mild, other days, not there at all.

Because it came and went, I could never be sure whether it had actually ceased, before Jan had her hospital fall and the whole issue became academic.

It was a dreadful thing to see in such an elegant woman.

 

[CraigC]

Thanks Bruce.
I'd rather know that it was a progression of the dementia than thinking dad was being affected but some other medical condition. And thanks for posting the picture, speaks a 1000 words and reassurances. Mum is convinced (after seeing a documentary the other night) that dad may have an Aneurysm and is worrying herself sick.

I'll pass this on to mum. My guess is the GP has not come across this before.

thanks a million everyone, especially Bruce and Jan!

 

[Grannie G]

Listing

Hi folks!

Is it possible the listing could be a side effect of Medication? When my husband saw the physio after he broke his arm, she noticed the list, which was only slight then. Now it has increased, along with a shuffle. It is definitely wose when he is more depressed, a bit better when he feels brighter, but constantly there.

Regards Grannie G

 

[rummy]

This is only speculation but I am wondering if at any given time, the AD can be working over time on one side of the brain or another, causing the list to the opposite side? Or perhaps it is working on the balance center of the brain ... much like a stroke would do except with AD it comes and goes.

Debbie

 

[CraigC]

Hi Grannie G,

there have been some changes in dads medication, which to be honest is making this diagnosis even more difficult. He has been taken off Aricept and put on the QUETIAPINE this month. Thanks for prompting me to look this up. I'll double check this with the doctor but the only connection I see with QUETIAPINE is "one-sided muscle weakness" - this will be reported to the doctor!! thanks.

Also interesting about the dry mouth and abdominal pain!
We need to look at all these possibilities before dad goes into hospital.


thanks again
Craig

If anyone is interested when checking this thread, here are the side effects listed.

SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, stomach pain or upset, weight gain or dry mouth may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. To relieve dry mouth and protect teeth and gums, you may suck on sugarless candy or use a saliva substitute or ice chips. Report promptly: fainting, unusually fast or irregular heartbeat. Unlikely but report promptly: skin rash, itching, trouble breathing. Very unlikely but report promptly: fever, persistent sore throat, muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., tongue or facial muscles), one-sided muscle weakness, cold sensitivity, trouble urinating, black stools, unusual moods. This drug may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, therefore causing or worsening diabetes. This high blood sugar can rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) conditions such as diabetic coma. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, such as unusual increased thirst and urination, or vision changes. If you already have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugar level regularly. This drug may also cause significant weight gain and a rise in your blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels. These effects, along with diabetes, may increase your risk for developing heart disease. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. (See also Notes section.) If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist

 

[Amy]

Hiya,
Mum listed to the side, and also had a patch of arching over backwards; the list was OK, the arching was quite distressing to see. As mum is not on medication, I take it to be progression of dementia.
Hope they can help dad feel better soon Craig.
Love Helen

 

[angela.robinson]

Leaning

Yep .jim Had The Leaning To One Side Usually To The Left ,went Worse As Time Went On , His First Scan Showed Damage To The Back, Right Side Of Head ,origanaly Thought To Be A Stroke , Later Diagnosed As Ad. Angela

 

[dmc]

hi craig

my mum is having this problem at the moment, she's either over to one side or leaning so far forward her head is nearly on her lap.
she's just had a UTI the first lot of antibiotics didnt work the second lot seems to doing the trick, and she didnt seem to be leaning so heavily last night.
we cant get an explanation they said its just "one of those things"

 

[connie]

Hi Craig, sorry to read of your dad's problems.

Re listing and arching, Bruce could be describing Lionel when he talks of Jan's symptons, feel sure this is AD related. Have had to stop sitting Lionel in the front of my car, as he leans right over and stops me changing gear. (Not every day though)

Love,

 

[CraigC]

Again, thanks for all who have responded. This information will help us have a more 'informed' discussion with the GP and the specialist.

thanks so much
Craig

 

[DickG]

Mary has developed a list to the left in the past two month and holds her right arm close to her body, which is very similar to the posture of a friend of mine with Parkinsons. Her consultant thinks that it is just another symptom of AD and in the great scheme of AD I don't think it is worth worrying about unduly.

Dick

 

[jc141265]

Listing and limping

Dad's list is to the right. He has it even when he is sitting. I think its a muscular thing, brain pulling the muscles too tight in one area....reason i think this is i notice sometimes Dad walks with a bit of a limp/skip and you can clearly see it is because the muscle at the back of one of his legs is pulled tight for no good reason. He also tends to not lie normally in bed in that his head usually appears to be pulled back....he's not just lying there relaxed like you and I would.

Something to note, if it is muscular..the problem with Dad's leg does ease off sometimes if I massage it or if I tell Dad a few times that he needs to place his heel on the floor (its lifted up off it otherwise) ...bearing in mind Dad doesn't always seem to take in or be able to action what I say.

Another thing to note, is Dad like Amy's mum isn't on medication...well not much, and not anything that would likely cause this.

Final thing on it, Dad's listing and weird postures come and go....when it first came I stressed out that this was the end coming quicker than I wanted, I imagined he would be unable to walk in a very short time....I dreaded the day he would become bedridden and thought the listing and muscular problems a sign that this would happen soon. Its been well over a year now and the listing comes and goes...some days when he's in a chair he needs propping up on one side with pillows, other days he sits there fine by himself. So don't panic...it may not be that dreaded time yet.

Well wishes to all,