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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Symptoms Of PLS?

I am 61 years old and had very good health until about 3 years ago and I went in to menopause. I became a dizzy person (not Vertigo) and my walking ability has become very difficult. I walk with VERY little balance and my steps are short and disfigured. I have have 7 MRI (brain & spin); 2 nerve test; 2 muscle test; a spinal tap and seen 2 nureo Dr in Jackson TN and 3 at Vanderbuilt. Last week I was given the drug Baclofen 10mg and today I cant tell it is helping, but depression is setting in. Through process of elimination they think it is PLS, I am dessprete for HELP
Wed, 30 Jul 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello madam, thanks for the query & I am very sorry to hear your plight. First thing we need to rule out at age 61 years is any organic cause of difficulty in walking, imbalance etc. One of the common cause of this difficulty is Parkinson's disease which is usually diagnosed by history of trembling hands, rigidity, walking difficulties, imbalance, walking is short steps, psycho motor slowing, symptoms of depression etc. Many of your described symptoms are matching this profile. Hence we need to definitely rule out this possibility. Can you tell me your MRI findings or email me your MRI reports? Baclofen is a muscle relaxant & in some persons it may cause symptoms of depression. As such, baclofen is not a treatment for Parkinsons disease & drugs like L-Dopa, ropinirole, pramipexole, amantidine, trihexyphenidyl are used depending upon a persons clinical profile. Hence, kindly revert back to me for further help or consult a Neurologist for definitive diagnosis & management. Good Luck
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What Are The Symptoms Of PLS?

Hello madam, thanks for the query & I am very sorry to hear your plight. First thing we need to rule out at age 61 years is any organic cause of difficulty in walking, imbalance etc. One of the common cause of this difficulty is Parkinson s disease which is usually diagnosed by history of trembling hands, rigidity, walking difficulties, imbalance, walking is short steps, psycho motor slowing, symptoms of depression etc. Many of your described symptoms are matching this profile. Hence we need to definitely rule out this possibility. Can you tell me your MRI findings or email me your MRI reports? Baclofen is a muscle relaxant & in some persons it may cause symptoms of depression. As such, baclofen is not a treatment for Parkinsons disease & drugs like L-Dopa, ropinirole, pramipexole, amantidine, trihexyphenidyl are used depending upon a persons clinical profile. Hence, kindly revert back to me for further help or consult a Neurologist for definitive diagnosis & management. Good Luck