For those who care for someone with Parkinson's disease
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We've been told that PD patients do not produce more saliva than normal. They drool because they do not swallow naturally. We've been dealing with this for several years now. His neurologist has been giving him botox injections every 3 months in the saliva glands to reduce saliva production. Sometimes the botox works almost immediately, sometimes it takes a few weeks, and sometimes - like this last time - it hasn't worked at all. Last year he participated in a research study so that if proven to be effective FDA would approve the use and Medicare & other insurance would have to cover it. Almost any time we are at home - and especially in the mornings - the saliva is so bad his clothes are wet. He also has a lot of nose drip (which his primary doctor has prescribed a nasal spray for. It helps some but not much). He goes thru a box of tissues or a roll of paper towels every day. Strangely, when we leave the house, the saliva and nasal drip decreases and then stops. During the study, he would have to hold a paper cup under his mouth to catch all the saliva to be measured/weighed. At the doctors office, his mouth was practically dry. But at home that very morning his clothing was soaked - I even took video to show the doctor. When I asked why and if other PD patients had described the same, we were told that it happens to some. They seemed to think that at home he is very relaxed and doesn't swallow but when he leaves the house he is more conscience of it (but not aware of it) and swallows more reflexively. No explanation as to why the nose runs at home but not as much away from home (although it does drip a tiny bit). Anyone else have the saliva and nose drip problems? And is it worse at home? (I tried to look thru old threads to see if this had been discussed but didn't see any in the first few pages) |
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Oh yes, drool, drool, drool. I keep a washcloth tucked into his t-shirt all the time and he tells me to clean out his mouth several times a day. I've been told that because of the PD the muscles to swallow are weak and they just don't swallow often enough. The saliva pools in the back of the throat then it comes out thick, very slimy. I bought a baby aspirator to try and suck out the saliva from his mouth but it doesn't work all that well. We should buy stock in a Kleenex company for all we go through each week. I haven't really noticed any difference in the saliva amount at any different times. His nose has always dripped. It started a few years before he was diagnosed with PD. Now we know that is part of PD. Although some times it not bad and other times it is. I did some research on botox injections and it said that a side effect could possibly affect their swallowing. The oral medicine also could have side effects. I didn't even want to go there with any extra side affects. I guess we will live with it. |
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Actually swallowing was so bad about 3 years ago DH lost 50 lbs in 3 months. He got a PEG tube and was on liquid food for a long time. Oddly he wasn't having drooling problems then. After about a year he was able to swallow food and drink again and now we use the PEG for his meds most of the time - at least the ones that can be crushed and dissolved. So in our case I don't think the Botox has affected his swallowing. I just wish it worked better. |
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| Oh and of course this saliva problem along with not brushing teeth as well as he used to has caused dental problems. At 75 he still has own teeth - no dentures. Seems every 6 months when we go for cleaning it's more major fillings and worse. He's has 2 crowns in the last two years and those ain't cheap! We have done only what absolutely must be done. In 2016 our dental expenses were over $5000 and he's already had a crown this year. |
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| My hubby was going for his teeth cleaning regularly, every 6 months but they suggested every 3 months because he/we weren't brushing very good. I try but it's difficult to brush someone elses teeth. This last appt I cancelled because it takes almost an hour and it totally wears him out to where I can hardly get him in the car and into the house. He's 75 and has all his teeth and doesn't have hardly any fillings. I hope I'm not going to be sorry that he isn't going for his cleanings. |
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| Hi Pink, welcome to the forum. I'd hazard a guess, when we are at home We recline more (recliner or couch) or kind of scooch or slid down in chairs. And of course lay in bed. When out either sitting up or standing so when out gravity helps rid our mouths of the saliva and not so much when reclining. Maybe it is this same with nasal drip? It is not that our muscles are weak from P.D. they are effected by P.D. but not weak (it is a common misconception that they weaken) Hope this helps and again welcome to the forum. |
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LOHENGR1N, When we are home he is in his recliner for several hours in the morning but then is up and about a lot. He has an electric power chair that he rides all over the house. He has a man cave and is always involved in some project or other (usually tearing something up but....) so he is sitting up; saliva is pouring out in a steady stream. 
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| My husband drools constantly. I remind him to sallow especially in public. I use face clothes to wipe his mouth and at home I use a bib holder with a facecloth attached to keep him dry. His dentist said the drooling actually help to keep him from getting cavities. Some days are worst than others. |
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| Interesting that dentist have differing opinions on this. |