Introduction to Lewy Body Disease

[@louieb.free--brainfoodfrom6107]

Dr. Rodriguez, thank you for this information.

[@TheParkinsonsDoctor]

You are very welcome

[@metubetomuch]

Dr. Rodriguez, my wife was diagnosed with MSA-C in 2022 after 9 years of a Parkinson's diagnosis and a reversal of that diagnosis in 2018 when the DATSCAN showed nothing. She was told then that she was crazy, and she was making it up. Then a brain MRI for her hearing system showed signs of MSA-C. Lewy Body Disease sounds like MSA symptoms.

[@TheParkinsonsDoctor]

Lewy Body, Parkinson and MSA are all disorders of alpha synuclein deposition. For this reason, they are very similar. You need a specialist to differentiate them. Your story is very common, where most people with MSA were initially diagnosed with Parkinson.

[@danlowe8684]

Thank you for the information, doctor. Is Sundowner's Syndrome associated with Lewy Body disease?

[@TheParkinsonsDoctor]

Yes, it is fairly common, especially when admitted to the hospital.

[@danlowe8684]

@@TheParkinsonsDoctor Can you please tell me the difference? The reason I ask, is that my estranged father was originally diagnosed with Sundowner's, then, later in life, and closer to death, was diagnosed as Lewy Body. FYI, he fell into his (wife) caretaker twice, once breaking her hip, and next breaking her leg.

[@lilpatronaful]

This sounds familiar. I have a doctor who is difficult to talk with and limits of movement specialist that take the insurance. What suggestions do you have to help develop the diagnosis of Lewey Body? Is it only the MRI and advising that the Levidopa is not working, the trazadone isn't working and there has been continued progression of freezing, falling, and overall mental instability. Is there anything I should add?

[@TheParkinsonsDoctor]

Review the symptoms. Are there fluctuations in mentation, hallucinations, cognitive impairment? Those things are clues, in addition to Parkinsonism.

[@TheParkinsonsDoctor]

There is also a skin biopsy that while not diagnostic, can help narrow down.

[@lilpatronaful]

@TheParkinsonsDoctor Thank you for the response. Let me take a closer look at symptoms to be able to articulate. Thanks for the heads up on the skin biopsy, I appreciate the assistance!