shy drager

my 88 year old mother was just diagnosed with shy drager.  i know what this is, but i do not know how to help ease her final years.  i do not want to put her in a nursing home, but i have to go back to work and cannot afford a private nurse.  what are my options.  

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
There is no cure for shy drager  , and there is no known way to prevent the disease from getting worse. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Anticholinergic medications may be used to reduce early or mild tremors. Levodopa may improve movement and balance.
Carbidopa may reduce the side effects of Levodopa and make it work better. However, the response to medications may be disappointing. Many affected individuals respond poorly to treatment with anticholinergics or Levodopa.
Medications that may be used to treat low blood pressure include:
• Vasoconstrictors (midodrine)
• Beta-blockers
• MAO inhibitors
• Vasopressin
• 9-fluohydrocortisone
A pacemaker programmed to stimulate the heart to beat at a rapid rate (faster than 100 beats per minute) may increase blood pressure for some people.
Constipation can be treated with a high-fiber diet and laxatives.
Refer http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000757.htm#Treatment
Best

[2netta]

My mom had shydraggers syndrome.  I was in the same predicament as you.  Knowone in the family could take care of her.  We took care of her for a long time while she was sick, but she got so bad in her sickness, that we eventually had to put her in a nursing home.  She did die from the disease about 5 years ago.  She went peacefully in her sleep.  The main thing is that she knows you love her and support her.  Also to be in a place where she can get the full attention that she deserves & needs; and she will need full time care.  Take it from me I have been there.  We did put my mom in a nursing home & she was taken care of very well.  She had trained professionals around the clock.  We hated too do that, but we had no choice.  I wish I could have cared for her more myself, but she got the right medications, & comfort from the nursing home staff.  The family always visited her.  My mom was only 47 when she passed away.  So shydraggers can hit at any age.  It is a hard decision that you have to make, but it is one that has to be made.  Just ask yourself this question, would you rather see your mom home, and be neglected (meaning she is not getting the appropriate help needed) or would you want to put her in a health care facility with people who are trained to take care of people like her, and know she is comfortable & getting the best help?  I wish you the best on making the right decision.