I have 2 problems that have been here, but now are more prevalent. First mom has times that she can not walk, and then she is fine the next day. She is worse outside the house.
The other is her gagging problem. She just gags like the dry heaves. her eyes water and nothing comes out. Probably nothing I can do, but just any info would help. Kaiser really needs to step up and train some MD's to get into Geriatrics, the baby boomers are not at that stage yet and they will be overwhelmed when it happens.

I have learned here that there can be fluctuations in motor symptoms.

Is the gagging choking on saliva or during meals? Nothing you can do about choking on saliva except to try to reduce the saliva (through medication) or to remain calm.

Is the gagging in response to anything, like eating, drinking, etc? Does she feel nauseated? Some of the dementia meds cause nausea in many patients.

The walking thing--I believe--is a Lewy thing. My husband is the same way. Some days he can walk and some days he cannot. This disease fluctuates so much we really need to be ready for every contingency.

Thank you for your help! The not walking I can deal with, but I would really like to know how to stop the gagging. She will do the gagging thing anytime. There have been no change on meds. On example is that I got her up this morning, she was laying down, no problem. I got her on the porta poty next to her bed and she started gagging. It almost seems that is in her mind, because if I draw her attention away she will quit. Here is the problem that concerns me---- The dry gagging is annoying but will not hurt anything. When she has eaten something I get concerned. Again I appreciate all the help learning from your experiences and knowledge. I just don't get any help from Kaiser if it is a Geriatric problem.

Is she able to indicate whether or not she feels nauseated?

Sounds like she's choking on saliva. I'm assuming gagging = choking.

She never complains or even says anything unless I ask her a question, but I have to ask the question and ask her yes, or no----- otherwise the answer is always yes.
She is throwing up, if she has nothing to throw up, I guess it would be called the dry heaves, but like I said, it does not happen all the time, maybe once a day, sometimes less than that. The forum has helped me a lot, just hoping someone has heard of this and says "my LO had the same problem and THIS works!!" I got a response from her Psychiatrist and he said that it could me a mental problem, I have an phone appt with him soon. ---Jack

Dry heaves could be caused by anxiety (so good idea to talk to the psychiatrist) or something that makes your mother feel nauseated (eg, medication, a disorder such as gastroparesis, bad odor).

I suggest you keep a log of when she eats, how much she eats and drinks, and when the dry heaves occur.

We had to go somewhere and had to take mom today. She started the dry heaves in the morning. I gave her breakfast and some ativan and presto!!!!!! No more heaves for the day!!!!!!!!!! Well one more problem not solved, but taken care of.---Jack

Great news! And good that she is able to take Ativan!