Maybe it wasn't a fit after all

Some weeks ago I was trying to get information from the Parkinson's Disease consultant about the possibility of the fit being caused by the medication (fits are a possible side-effect of the Sinemet S takes). I was eventually put through to Parkinson's nurse who was thorough and very helpful. After I'd described the 'fit' and answered a lot of questions she said she would put money on it not being a fit but being the result of low blood pressure causing loss of consciousness. It's apparently something that's common in Parkinson's Disease and often happens 'on the loo'. S had actually finished on the loo but was sitting there and may have been straining very shortly before the incident. The rigidity that I witnessed (as opposed to any real shaking) was a big clue for her. The fact that S then slid down into a very uncomfortable position where her breathing was somewhat restricted wouldn't have helped. But her quick recovery, in terms of her vital signs, would also suggest that her explanation is at least a strong possibility.

Two additional factors that may support the theory: S has always had low blood pressure and another side-effect of the medication is  -  you've guessed it  -  low blood pressure. Whether this theory helps us at all in the long run remains to be seen, but it does seem that this loss of consciousness is less serious than any kind of fit.

Still here

I think I've just had the longest break from this blog since I started it. The reason is very simple. I've been too busy. During the weeks since the 'fit' we have had an astonishing number of different people coming into the house  -  sometimes I've been showing another one or two in (they often come in pairs) whilst showing others out. They are all trying to help us, which is appreciated, though some of them have let us down and I start to think it would have been better if they had never raised our hopes.

We have also had a stairlift installed. This has enabled us to get back to our bedroom upstairs whilst we are having a new bathroom installed. That project was started very quickly and will very soon be finished  -  at least that's what the builder tells me every day! The closer it gets to being finished, the slower the work-rate seems to become. When it is finished, we can plan our permanent move downstairs to a sitting room which has to accommodate S's 'hospital bed', a single bed for me and a hoist of some kind.

I hope to get back to posting more regularly but it's so hard to find the time.