More Research

This installment will cover the other "suggestive features" of LBD, many if not most of which my grandfather has shown in the past 4-5 weeks.

Other LBD Symptoms

Supportive Features: (These are commonly present and can support an LBD diagnosis when they occur with ‘core’ or ‘suggestive’ features.)

* Repeated falls, fainting, myoclonus (sudden muscle jerks or twitches)
No falls yet, thankfully. I do see muscle twitches quite often. His movements are usually jerky or shaky.
* Hallucinations of sound, touch, smell, taste
Yes, yes, no and no (as far as I know). He has very little sense of smell left though)
* Transient/unexplained unresponsiveness
Sometimes. He either doesn't hear me or can't wake up sometimes.
* Autonomic problems: fainting or dizziness on standing due to low blood pressure; constipation, unexplained sweating or coldness
Weakness upon standing, constipation, extreme constant coldness, to an annoying degree.
* Urinary problems (incontinence), sexual difficulties
Incontinent, wears depends. We thought it was a prostate issue, which means this may date back to his original prostate studies in 2006.
* Delusions (false beliefs), delusional misidentification
Some, but not constant.
* Anger, sadness, depression
Yes, yes, yes.
* Difficulty swallowing, choking, weak voice
Starting to choke/cough on food more often. Asks for things to be cut up most times.

Alzheimer’s-like (cognitive) symptoms:

* Progressive memory loss
* Depression, changes in mood, behavior
* Decreased judgment, loss of initiative
* Disorientation regarding time and place
* Difficulty with language and tasks
Won't even waste time going line by line here. He has many of these, but since he fluctuates wildly he might have a good day or show off for a doctor's visit.

Parkinsonian (motor) symptoms:

* Muscle stiffness and rigidity
* Very slow movements, frozen stance
* Balance difficulties, shuffling gait
* Tremor
* Loss of dexterity
* Small handwriting
* Stooped posture (pronounced leaning, generally to one side or forward)
* Blank facial expression
Detailed in Part 1 of my diary here:


Other possible symptoms:

* Excessive daytime sleepiness Extremely sleepy regardless of previous night's sleep
* Abnormal depth perception, directional sense, object orientation, illusions Not sure
* Restless leg syndrome (RLS) Definitely