Picks Disease

Cute_CNA, CNA · Nov 18, 2005

I don't have any experience with the disease, but from the links I've seen, it doesn't look good. It sounds similar to Alzheimer's.

http://www.bhoffcomp.com/coping/picks.html

here's a support group: http://www.pdsg.org.uk/

http://www.nnpdf.org/

There's a lot of info on google.com about it.

shopgal, RN · Nov 18, 2005

My Uncle passed away from "complications from pick's disease" and it was 5 years after he was diagnosed and he was 54 at time of diagnosis. It was like the confussion of Alzheimer's and then with neurological problams like he would want to pick up his foot to walk and he would get "stuck" like the motor nerves weren't working or something. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about her diagnosis it's one of those brain diseases that are so sad.

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 18, 2005

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother.I work with a pt. in LTC at the VA who has Pick's disease.She is now total care.Like shopgal says it it a brain disease.It progressively gets worse. Sometimes the pt. exhibits combative behavior towards the staff. We love her dearly. :nurse:

AKAKatydid · Nov 18, 2005

Jayne,

I don't have a whole lot of experience with it, but we did have a patient on our floor at one time that had Picks disease. I only happened to work one shift during her stay and the experience was completely new to me.

She was noncommunicative. Generally, she was responsive to commands, but not always. She reqired a sitter to be with her at all times because she liked to pull on cords and crawl out of bed. I was told that she could be combative, but did not experience that with her... I do remember one of the nurses saying that they have treated her in the hospital just a few months before, and they were in complete shock over how quickly her disease progressed.

veronica butterfly, ADN, RN · Nov 18, 2005

It's like Alzheimers, affects more women than men. Progression is not much different than Alzheimers. Alzheimers shows atrophy and plaques in the brain, Pick's has to do with cell changes in the frontal and temporal lobes. Usually a lot of behavioral deterioration occurs, just because of where in the brain it occurs, sometimes women present with hypersexuality, again, frontal lobe stuff.

Sorry to hear about your grandma. My sweet grandpa died of Alzheimers about 5 years ago and his personality was gone 5 years before that, I still miss him so much.

1Tulip · Nov 18, 2005

Picks disease is a fronto-temporal type of dementia. Because the plaques start appearing first in the frontal lobes, it's early symptoms are behavioral rather than loss of memory. As they progress, the all the dementias are going to pick off other parts of the brain and so they will share symptoms. Aphasia, apraxias for movement, and so forth.

These diseases are due to poorly functioning "waste removal" systems in the cells of the brain. The genes and proteins that are involved are being vigorously studied and we can pray that there will be progress soon on these terrible diseases.

HONEYBEAR · Nov 18, 2005

Than you all for your responses, I have spent many hours online researching this horrible disease. I will be flying home to England the day before Thanksgiving to stay with my mom for 10 days to help out with placing my grandma, and packing up her house and spending time with grandma. My mom is devasted, I really do not think it has sunken in yet for her.

I will keep you all updated, again many thanks for all your comments.

HONEYBEAR · Nov 19, 2005

Well guys,

They are placing my grandma on Tuesday, earlier than expected, my mom called my so many times at work last night crying......so I am heading out sooner than I thought. I will keep you all updated. :crying2:

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 19, 2005

Well guys,
They are placing my grandma on Tuesday, earlier than expected, my mom called my so many times at work last night crying......so I am heading out sooner than I thought. I will keep you all updated.

Keep us posted. Have a safe trip.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 19, 2005

I'm so very sorry, Honeybear. ((((((((HUGE HUGS)))))))))

It is good you will be flying home and able to spend some valuable days with your dear Grandma.. as well as be there for your mom, who is certainly needing some emotional support right now.

Do have a safe trip, and make the best of the days ahead.