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Have you tried any devices that help with Parkinson’s symptoms?
I’ve seen all kinds of different devices that claim to help with Parkinson’s symptoms. There’s a spoon that helps minimize tremors. There’s a cup that prevents spills and sloshing. I haven’t, yet, invested in any of these items for my Dad. But I’m curious if any of you have tried devices that help mitigate Parkinson’s symptoms? If so, were they helpful? If not, do you think you will?
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34 Replies
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The one thing I can imagine me using in the future is something that helps me put on my socks. But since I have been taking Mannitol (google it) I feel so much better that I almost forget that I have Parkinson’s!
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Hi Thomas
that is a wonderful news that using mannitol has made a great difference to how you feel. Keep up the use and please let us know what has changeds
kind regards
umakant pancholi
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My husband did purchase something after I purchased something for his socks.. I will snap a pic of it.. he so rarely wears socks but when he does he use the sock helper.. I have to dig it out.. it’s summer now.. LOL.. I got mine from the The wright stuff.com they have all kinds of neat stuff. I did purchase a non slip tray from QVC.. it’s a tray that has silicone so plates, cups, the tray itself does not slip. Helps when I am carrying a lot up the stairs… here the pics.. well I cannot seem to upload the pics.. here is the item number on QVC
Set of 2 Large Rectangle Nonslip Serving Trays</h1>
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Hi Tom so glad you are having good results from usine mannitol. My husband seems to be progressing with the parkinsons,as now he is having more difficulty with balance and his voice
is very soft,along with slower movements. I am considering using the mannitol,hoping for a better quality of life for him. Thank you so much for inspiring us and giving us hope.
kathy provorse-
Hi – my husband has had good improvements in balance (although he still falls occasionally from freezing of his feet) and masking from Mannitol. He takes 2 tablespoons daily (we started with 2 tsp and slowly worked up). We purchase the mannitol from Amazon – it is the brand that says Kitchen Alchemy. Some brands do not work and his balance got worse and frequent falls returned. He noticed results very soon after starting this regimen. We put it in juice/water mix – about 10 ounces – every morning. He has been taking for a year now. It has not helped with his voice. Thank you everyone for telling about alternative treatments on this site.
Kathy
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Hey Tom, How long have you been using mannitol and how much per day, and also how long did it take to be effective.
I’ve started taking it about two weeks ago and use about 4 -5 tea spoons a day with no side effects. So I’m now ready to ramp up my dosage if required. I just checked I have used about 100 g (3.5 ozs) so far .
Regards, Paul
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I’ve found a bunch of these, all pretty simple. People love them. I have them in a 4-page PDF file that I could post here or on my website, if either of these methods are permitted. Please let me know if I can do this, and how to go about it.
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I would love to see your list. I don’t see why it couldn’t be posted here.
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I am not sure what is permitted, or how to go about posting things. The problem is that I don’t get any answers to my questions. I know how to do all the computer stuff, but I need some guidance on what to do.
For example, can I post a PDF directly, or must I put it on a website and link to it? I think it’s the latter, but I need some answers.
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Skip, Just post it via a link to web site or any way you can, a moderator will soon tell you if it;s allowed.
Regards, Paul -
Hi Louis,
Unfortunately, there is no way to directly post a PDF file. However, you could take the content of the PDF, put it in a Good Drive document, and link it here (via the paper clip icon). I think that may be your best bet.
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My wife was diagnosed 11 years ago with PD. She is using the oversized handle eating utinsils, drinking mugs with a top and straw. Some days her hand tremors make it difficult to eat. Tried a Redi Stedi glove – too heavy, too cumbersome. PT gave her hand excercises, big loud excercises, and some plyable putty (stiffer than Silly Putty) and foam blocks for hand strengthening.
Been through a myriad of supplements, accupuncture, chriopractic, pharmaceuticals – none of which worked for her. But don’t give up, something may work for you. The most promising device I saw was from Microsoft – called Project Emma. It was a watch that produced a rythmic vibration that counteracted hand tremors. It was about 4 years ago and I can’t find any information if this was ever pursued. I found two of the project developers on LinkedIn, sent a request for more info and never heard back.
Keeping our optimism, trying anything for relief, but researching any product before using.
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Skip, That link sure worked well for me.
Thank you , Paul -
Thank you, Paul, for your list.
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My husband uses a devise called The Breather to exercise his throat muscles. Really very effective.
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Yes,have a light weight utensil that is a spoon at one end and a fork at the other end with a serated edge i find it helps a lot, I use a picker upper so I don’t lose my balance when I drop things
I have been reading a lot about Mannitol and it seems to work for some people so I am going to give it a try, I have ordered some from Amazon and it should be here tomorrow,
Will let you know how I get on. -
I bought a “knee pillow” to place between my knees at night. It has substantially reduced the backache I was getting during the night.
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How do you take the Mannitol? Thanks
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Stronger voice, once again my arms swing when I walk, my writing has gotten back to normal size, less stiff, etc. have all occurred once I started taking Mannitol in Nov. last year. I take one heaping teaspoon a day (in the morning). It is a sugar which is used especially by diabetics. Start slowly until you get to a heaping teaspoon.
Good luck
Tom
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Hi Tom, Please let us know what brand of Mannitol you’re using since there was a comment that some brands don’t seem to work and the one brand that was recommended no longer seems to be available
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Thanks!
Terry
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One thing that I found especially helpful was to put a silk strip of cloth in bed at the level of my waist. It makes it much easier to change sides when you need to change your position in bed. (Actually I went to a second hand store and bought som satin curtains which I then cut a strip wide enough for my waist and long enough to tuck in both sides of the bed on top of the regular sheet.) Try it–it sure makes it easier to move at night, and the investment is not big!
Tom
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Mary Beth, I made and for a time used a “red light” helmet, I found the detail of research on it from an Australian web site, I belie it helped my speech ..for a while and up to a point. I stopped using it about 2 years ago but still have it and might start using it again, as my speech has got far worse now. I’m sure I could rediscover the web site and post a link if anyone wanted it. Recently started using mannitol, but too early to say if it works for me.
Regards, Paul -
I have a weighted set of dining utensils: knife, forks, and spoons.
Doctor’s recommendation.
They’re extremely helpful.
Miss them when eating out. -
What are they like? Where did you get them?
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The dining utensils are made by Linelax, available on Amazon.
And, thanks for the gadgets link.
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I purchased a U-Step walker, it has prevented falls(especially falls forward), and the red laser light has helped learning to step properly. I am a big old fat man, I often use the walker to pull myself up from chair/bed.
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Good luck for those trying Mannitol. I use Sosa brand from Spain. I really don’t know if one is better than the other.
Anybody else have problems rolling from one side to the other in bed? I really am helped by using silk pajamas and a strip of silk-like cloth under my waist area–really helps.
Take care!
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I use a weighted blanket, satin type sheets, polyester/satin slippery night clothes to help me turn and get out of bed, memory foam mattress and a large pillow between my legs at night to help with back pain, negative recessed sandals (like Birkenstock’s but much cheaper) to keep me from slipping, cotton type socks to help from slipping and injuries to the skin, keep puzzles and things I like close by my recliner when I’m feeling restless and depressed, scheduled alarms of ringtones I like on my phones to remind me of my pills instead of alarms which upset me, multiple cell phones which helps to avoid panic if I can’t find a phone, alexa so I can ask for the time etc if I don’t want to get up or just want to hear another “voice”. A lot of these are dumb but there’s a lot of dumb things that happen with PD and it helps me to stay on track mentally and emotionally
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I was unable to find the kitchen alchemy Mannitol on Amazon. Does anyone have any experience with another brand?
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Mannitol from Sosa in Spain.
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When my wife had tremors her hand, she did try the spoon, fork and knife. They were helpful. Fortunately, her neurologist adjusted her pills and the tremors disappeared.
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Will somebody please, please, PLEASE tell us more about these utensils? What brand or brands? Where do you buy them, and at what price?
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A few years ago, I purchased Linelax Weighted Utensils from Amazon to help with my PD tremors. For me, they didn’t work at all. The weight did not tone down the tremors, and now I had something heavy in my hand that could cause damage to me or someone nearby (Silverware becomes weapon). The spoon, being heavy-duty, is a great ice-cream scoop, so all was not lost. 🙂 The set of knife, 2 forks, teaspoon and soup spoon has increased in price and now sells for $45.99. Hope this helps.
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To help with micrographia (small cramped handwriting), I bought a book from Dollar Tree that has the lined paper that you used in elementary school to learn how to write. The spacing is big, forcing you to write big. Cost: $1. Not a “device,” but something to help with PD symptoms.
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